§ 81. Captain ERSKINE-BOLSTasked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he can now make any statement as to the steps he proposes to take to improve the trade in cotton goods with India; and whether he is prepared to recommend the despatch of a trade mission to that country?
§ Major COLVILLE (Secretary, Overseas Trade Department)As the answer is a long one I will, with the hon. and gallant Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the answer:
§ It is the constant endeavour of His Majesty's Trade Commissioners in India to promote the sale in that country of United Kingdom products, including cotton goods. During the past year special reports dealing with certain branches of the cotton industry have been prepared by His Majesty's Trade Commissioners in India and circulated to United Kingdom firms, and samples of competing foreign products supplied by the Trade Commissioners have been exhibited in Manchester and Bradford. Further, arrangements have been made for His Majesty's Senior Trade Commissioner to tour the United Kingdom officially this summer, in order to advise United Kingdom firms regarding the requirements of the Indian market. While it is not at the moment intended to recommend the despatch of a trade mission to India, the matter will be looked into again as soon as the conditions are such as to justify reasonable hopes of its success.