34. Mr. ROBINSONasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether his attention has been drawn to the decline in textile exports from Britain to Japan in recent years; and whether any action has been taken by his Department to bring about a revival in the volume of textiles exported to Japan?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERThe answers to both parts of the question are in the affirmative. The Department of Overseas Trade, directly and through its officers abroad has kept in close touch with the textile situation in Japan. Visits have recently been made to Bradford by the Director of the Foreign Division of the Department of Overseas Trade and by the Commercial Counsellor in Tokio; and Japan is visited annually by many representatives of British textile firms who frequently seek the advice of the Department's officers, both before going to Japan and after arrival in that country. Reports on the Japanese woollen and cotton industries in Japan have been issued by the Department.
§ Mr. TAYLORCan the right hon. Gentleman give us the date of those reports, or the date of the last report?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI think the last report was issued this year.