§ 2. Sir RICHARD COOPERasked the President of the Board of Trade if British export trade to South America is endangered by the reluctance on the part of British traders to trade with firms who were on the black list during the War, thus creating a favourable opening for foreign competitors; and can he make a statement for the guidance of British traders in such cases?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Cecil Harmsworth)I am not aware of the extent to which British trade has been hampered, as the hon. Member suggests, by reluc- 8 tance on the part of British traders to-entering into business negotiations with firms formerly included in the published black list. The notice published in the-Press on 28th April stating that after that date all black lists would be withdrawn and that all disabilities attaching to trade with persons and firms on such lists would cease to operate, is, I think, with this answer a sufficient statement for the guidance of British traders.
§ Sir R. COOPERWill the hon. Gentle man be good enough to look into the White Paper issued on the 1st July by the Embassy in Paris, which clearly states the great danger to British trade owing to Americans and neutrals expressly using firms in the black list?
§ Mr. HARMSWORTHYes, I will look into it.