§ 38. Sir WILLIAM COLLINSasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if he will state what action has been taken, or is in contemplation, with a view to promoting export trade from this country to Switzerland; and if he is aware of the agencies established by the German Government in Switzerland with a view to fostering German trade?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND (Department of Overseas Trade)The hon. Member will readily understand that the absorption of British industry in war purposes and the restrictions which are inevitable in the case of trade with a country contiguous with enemy territory make it difficult to take effective steps to promote export trade with Switzerland at the present time. I am, however, fully alive to the importance of the matter, and can assure the hon. Member that I shall do everything in my power to further any plans for this purpose which are, or may become, practicable. Provision has been made for the appointment of a commercial attaché in Switzerland, and the question of increasing the Consular Staff there is under consideration. I am aware that considerable commercial activity is being shown by German organisations in Switzerland.
§ Sir W. COLLINSHas the right hon. Gentleman received representations from Anglo-Swiss merchants in favour of establishing a central agency of trading and banking with a view to improving the trade between this country and Switzerland?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDI have had two or three communications from Swiss who are friendly to the Entente in Switzerland making representations of 1739 that kind. I am doing my best to see how far they can be promoted at the moment, but the hon. Gentleman will realise the difficulty.