§ 44. Mr. A. M. SAMUELasked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he has considered the despatch of an economic mission to Denmark, seeing that Britain is Denmark's best customer and that Denmark could take a much larger volume of British productions?
§ Mr. GILLETTThe question of the despatch of economic missions to various countries abroad is at present under consideration. His Majesty's Legation at Copenhagen and my Department have been taking active steps to endeavour to increase British export trade with Denmark. It is too early yet to say whether the despatch of an economic mission to Denmark would be one of the best methods of attaining this object.
§ Mr. SAMUELis the hon. Gentleman aware that, owing to the disorganisation of trade between Denmark and Germany, now is an opportune moment for a little initiative to be used, with every hope of a satisfactory result for British trade, and will he, therefore, consider at once the sending of a trade mission?
§ Mr. MILLSIs this not a question of the efficiency of the consular representation, and, having regard to the special circumstances, will the whole question of consular representation and their efficiency in the last 10 years be considered with a view to replacement where necessary?
§ Mr. GILLETTIt is only a part of the question that concerns consuls. Our Minister at Copenhagen has taken a very active part in regard to this subject.
§ Mr. SAMUELI hope the hon. Gentleman will rest assured that I made no reflection upon our consuls. I mean that he should go rather a little further by backing them up with a trade mission.