§ 15. Mr. GRANVILLE GIBSONasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will arrange to publish the Annual Colonial Reports in a more concise form at more frequent intervals, in order that the reports may be more useful to British exporters to the Colonies?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI have recently invited various representative bodies to offer observations on the form and contents of the Annual Colonial Reports, and also with regard to the frequency with which they should be issued. I am now considering the matter in the light of their remarks, but I have not yet reached a decision as to what changes, if any, it will be desirable to make.
§ Mr. GIBSONIs my right hon. Friend aware that, owing to the fact that these reports are issued so infrequently, when they come into the hands of exporters the information is out of date and of very little use? If they were issued more frequently, they would be much more useful.
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI think I have taken the most practical step in 348 consulting a large number of trading bodies interested as to what recommendations they would make. I should be sorry to come to a decision without having an opportunity of considering all their recommendations.