§ 35. Mr. SAMUEL SAMUELasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, seeing the importance, of enabling Members of the House of Commons to answer their constituents' inquiries, he will state what assistance manufacturers in the United Kingdom and British merchants trading abroad are to receive from the British Trade Corporation under the charter which has been granted; have the manufacturers and merchants any rights under this charter; and is the corporation under any obligation to satisfy those rights?
Mr. ROBERTSThe objects of the British Trade Corporation are expressed in the charter, and may be briefly summarised as the providing of financial facilities for British traders and manufacturers to enable them to develop their business, particularly in relation to overseas markets and undertakings. Naturally, no particular manufacturer or 23 merchant has a specific right to assistance from the corporation. The corporation, however, is bound to give substantial effect to its objects, and failure so to do would expose it to proceedings to annul the charter. I may add that His Majesty's Government have every confidence that the corporation will loyally employ the powers conferred on it for the purposes for which they were granted.
§ Mr. SAMUELUnder what clause in the charter is there any obligation on the company to perform anything?
Mr. ROBERTSI think that my hon. Friend will find that a further statement will be made in explanation of the charter in this respect.
§ 36. Mr. SAMUELasked the President of the Board of Trade whether any agreement has been made between the British Trade Corporation and the British Government through the Board of Trade defining the services to be rendered to British manufacturers and merchants, and is there any penalty for the non-performance on the part of the British Trade Corporation of the obligations imposed by such agreement; and is any independent tribunal provided in the event of complaints from industrials and merchants who are unable to secure the assistance intended to be provided for them?
Mr. ROBERTSI would suggest to the hon. Member that he should await the statement which will be made on behalf of the Government in the resumed Debate.
57. Sir H. DALZIELasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the resumed Debate on the British Trade Corporation charter is likely to take place; and will it be possible for the Government to circulate a copy of any proposed amendments of the charter before such Debate?
§ The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. Bonar Law)I hope to be able to arrange a day next week, and before the discussion the modifications proposed by the Government will be circulated as a White Paper.
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI have not considered the matter, but I should assume that it will be on the Board of Trade Vote. I will answer the question later.