§ 37. Mr. LIDDALLasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the extent of the State subsidisation of the oil-engine industry in Germany; and what action, if any, is being taken to protect similar industry in this country, especially in Lincoln, from such unfair competition?
§ Captain EUAN WALLACE (Secretary, Overseas Trade Department)I am aware that the German Government have adopted a number of methods to assist German export trade, but detailed information is not available in regard to the application of these methods either to exports generally or to the export of oil engines in particular. As regards the second part of the question, I have, at present, no reason to think that the home market cannot be adequately protected under existing powers and my hon. Friend will appreciate the difficulty of effective steps being taken by His Majesty's Government to deal with this form of competition in oversea markets.
§ Mr. LIDDALLIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that British industry expects the Government to protect it?
§ Captain WALLACEThen perhaps British industry will show us a practical method of doing so.
§ Mr. LOUIS SMITHCannot more be done to obtain detailed information from our representatives dealing with this very important matter?
§ Captain WALLACEI think we are obtaining a great deal of detailed information. At the same time it would be impossible to tell the House that we know all about it.
§ Mr. ELLIS SMITHHas the hon. and gallant Gentleman read the very detailed report published in Germany dealing with this matter, and are the Government going to give the attention which industry desires that it should to the report published by the Overseas Trade Department dealing with the question?
§ Captain WALLACEThe Government always pay great attention to anything published by the Overseas Trade Department.