22. Captain CROOKSHANKasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if it is the intention of his Department to open an office in New York; and, if so, when?
Mr. SAMUELIt is intended to establish at New York within the next three months a branch of the Commercial Secretariat of the Embassy at Washington. The junior of the two Commercial Diplomatic Officers at Washington will be detached to assume charge of the new office, which will work in conjunction with His Majesty's Consulate-General at New York.
§ Sir F. WISEWhat will be the extra cost?
Mr. SAMUELI cannot state offhand. But I bear in mind the necessity of keeping it as low as possible.
23. Captain CROOKSHANKasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he will consider the advisability of opening an office and maintaining a Commercial Secretary at San Francisco, with a view to fostering British trade on the Pacific coast of the United States of America?
Mr. SAMUELI am afraid that expense will not at the moment admit of the appointment of a Commercial Secretary at San Francisco. The Commercial Counsellor at Washington has, however, recently paid a visit to the Pacific coast of the United States in order to investigate conditions and prospects of British trade, and he has furnished a very valuable report which has been communicated to the interests concerned. His Majesty's Consul-General at San Francisco and the other Consular officers on the Pacific coast have also been invited to pay special attention to commercial questions.