HC Deb 13 February 1940 vol 357 cc553-5
6. Mr. Shinwell

asked the President of the Board of Trade the names of members of the Export Council?

Sir A. Duncan

With the hon. Member's permission, I will circulate the desired information in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Shinwell

Do the methods contemplated include Government assistance to exporters?

Following is the answer:

The following are the members of the Export Council:

Chairman:—The President of the Board of Trade.

Vice-Chairman:—The Secretary to the Department of Overseas Trade.

*Sir Clive Baillieu, K.B.E., C.M.G., O.B.E., Chairman of the National Smelting Company, Limited.

Mr. S. R. Beale, past President of the Association of British Chambers of Commerce.

Mr. John Brown, Joint Secretary of the Iron and Steel Trades Confederation.

*Mr. F. D'Arcy Cooper, Chairman of Lever Bros., and Unilever Limited.

Mr. Edwin Fisher, Chairman of Barclays Bank Limited.

Mr. M. Hodgson, J.P., Secretary of the Boilermakers' Society.

*Lord Hyndley, G.B.E., Commercial Adviser to the Mines Department.

*Sir Cecil Weir, K.B.E., M.C., Chairman of the Export Trade Committee of the Association of British Chambers of Commerce.

Lord Stamp, G.C.B., G.B.E. (Adviser on Economic Co-ordination).

Sir Frederick Phillips, K.C.M.G., C.B. (Treasury).

Sir Frederick Leith-Ross, G.C.M.G., K.C.B. (Ministry of Economic Warfare).

Mr. W. Palmer, C.B. (Ministry of Supply).

Sir Percy Ashley, K.B.E., C.B. (Cotton Controller).

Sir Harry B. Shackleton (Wool Controller), and a representative of the Foreign Office, when required.

Secretary:—Mr. E. Raymond Streat, C.B.E.

*The members so marked have agreed to place their whole time services at the disposal of the Chairman of the Council and, under the Chairmanship of Mr. D'Arcy Cooper, will act as an executive committee of the Council.

7. Mr. Shinwell

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the functions and powers of the Export Council?

Sir A. Duncan

The immediate task of the Export Council will be to assist in the organisation of our export trade with a view to maintaining and increasing it as a vital part of our war effort. As will be seen from the answer which I have undertaken to circulate in reply to the previous Question, four of the members of the council have agreed to devote their whole time to the work of the Council. The decisions of the Council will, so far as necessary, be made effective through the powers at the disposal of the Government.

Mr. George Griffiths

Shall we be able to know what are the salaries of these men and whether they will give full time on the committee?

Sir A. Duncan

I am glad to be able to say that they are serving free of salary.

Mr. Shinwell

Is the Export Council closely in touch and co-operating with the co-ordinating Economic Committee of the Government?

Sir A. Duncan

Yes, Sir. Lord Stamp is a member of the Export Council.

Mr. Mander

Has the right hon. Gentleman power himself to put in force the decisions come to by the Council without reference to anyone else?

Sir A. Duncan

I do not anticipate any difficulty arising on that ground.