§ 38. Mr. DANIEL SOMERVILLEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether arrangements have been made by his Department to ensure that British manufacturers axe aware at the very earliest moment of all openings in foreign countries for British trade; whether, in the case of need, the facts are telegraphed home for distribution to the manufacturers interested; and whether, in every instance, the support of the Foreign Office is available where desirable to promote the success of British enterprise?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEThe overseas officers of the Department of Overseas Trade have been instructed to supply the Department at the earliest possible moment with all information obtainable by them in regard to openings in foreign countries for British trade. Arrangements have been made in the Department for the prompt dissemination of this information to British firms. It would be of assistance if all firms desiring to receive such information would enrol on the Department's special register, in order to ensure that the goods and markets in which each firm is interested 1170 are readily on record. The answer to the second and third parts of the question is in the affirmative.
§ Mr. SOMERVILLEHave the Consular officers abroad been instructed to make inquiries about British trade and are they sufficiently business men to understand?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEYes, Sir; the Consuls are specially instructed to look after commercial interests and to report upon commercial openings, and, in considering promotions in the Consular service, the efficiency of a Consul in his commercial work is always taken into consideration.
§ Mr. A. V. ALEXANDERIs there anything in the way the right hon. Gentleman suggests in the Consular service in Russia at the present time?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEThere is a trading mission in Russia which is functioning at the present time.