§ 4. Mr. BLANEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Department of Overseas Trade if there are at present in foreign countries any commercial missions sent by the British Government to study trade opportunities, and, if so, in what countries?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDGeneral economic missions have been sent under the auspices of His Majesty's Government to Poland and Serbia with the object on the one hand of investigating the requirements of these countries for material necessary to the reconstruction of their damaged industries and on the other hand to inquire into the opportunities of 1359 developing British trade. It has been decided to send a similar mission to Belgium. A small mission has also been sent to Bulgaria to investigate the openings for British trade with that country. A special mission is also at present in France dealing with questions relating to sugar-making machinery. Four investigators have been sent out by the Department of Overseas Trade in co-operation with trade associations in this country to inquire into the prospects and conditions of
Other investigations of a similar character are now in contemplation.
- (1) The market for jewellery and electro-plate in South America.
- (2) The engineering trade in Brazil.
- (3) The confectionery trade in South America.
- (4) The market for motor vehicles in Australia and the Far East.