HC Deb 13 December 1938 vol 342 cc1770-2
8. Mr. James Griffiths

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has had any discussions with representatives of the German Government in reference to the methods adopted by them to expand their export trade, with a view to reaching an agreement between the two countries to avoid the intense competition for markets that is now taking place?

Mr. Stanley

No formal discussions with representatives of the German Government have taken place on trade matters since the Anglo-German Payments (Amendment) Agreement was signed on 1st July. Informal conversations have, however, taken place between officials when opportunity has offered.

Mr. Griffiths

Will advantage be taken of Dr. Schacht's visit to this country to discuss these problems with him; and is it an official visit?

Mr. Stanley

That is a question for another Department to answer. We do take the opportunity of having informal talks as and when it is possible, in the hope that they will develop into formal negotiations later on, but I feel that the value of these informal talks would be very much diminished if all the occasions and subjects discussed were made public.

Mr. J. Morgan

Is the right hon. Gentleman's Department likely to be in touch with Dr. Schacht this time?

Mr. Stanley

No formal negotiations are contemplated.

9. Mr. J. Griffiths

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is having consultations with the trades and industries concerned as to the most effective ways of maintaining our export trade in face of the methods adopted by certain competing countries; what organisations are being consulted; and whether he will lay before the House the plans he proposes to adopt to maintain our export trade?

28. Mr. Arthur Henderson

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps are being taken by His Majesty's Government to procure a greater degree of organisation in those industries whose products are exported so that this country may compete on fair terms with totalitarian countries?

Mr. Stanley

As my right hon. Friend the Secretary to the Department of Overseas Trade said yesterday, in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Burnley (Mr. Burke), discussions have already taken place with a number of industries on the possibility of meeting the difficulties they encounter in export trade by a greater co-ordination of effort. These discussions are being continued, and I am ready to consider representations on the subject from any exporting industry. The problems involved differ from industry to industry, and the method of treatment can generally best be considered in the first place by the industry concerned.

Mr. Griffiths

May we take it from the right hon. Gentleman's answer that these are not the maximum measures that the Government are prepared to take to deal with this important matter?

Mr. Stanley

The measures, of course, deal with rather a different aspect of helping our export trades. They deal with the possibility of their helping themselves by co-ordination of their efforts.

Mr. Shinwell

Is it the intention of the Government in all cases to await representations from trading interests, rather than to approach those trading interests themselves?

Mr. Stanley

Both my right hon. Friend and myself have taken every opportunity in speeches to bring to the notice of exporting industries the possibility, and, indeed, the desirability, of taking action of this kind. As my right hon. Friend said in reply to a question, the response has been very encouraging, and a number of discussions have been going on.

Mr. Levy

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the industries concerned recognise that this is the only method by which they can combat the throat-cutting competition of totalitarian countries?

Sir Louis Smith

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the engineering industry is perhaps the most hurt at the moment; and will he get into touch with that industry as early as possible?

Mr. Stanley

"The engineering industry" is a rather wide term. Probably an organisation of this kind would be better carried out by sections of the industry, rather than by the industry itself.