§ 9 and 10. Mr. Liddallasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether he will give the names of those members of the Export Council who have had personal experience of processing raw materials into finished goods for export, personal experience of local overseas conditions, and personal knowledge of selling methods required for competitive overseas markets;
(2) whether those members of the Export Council who have had no personal experience of selling in competitive overseas markets will, as economic experts co-ordinated with the Economic Council, advise British exporters how to increase export trade while the foreign markets are only sellers' markets and non-competitive or afterwards when they become buyers' markets and competitive?
§ The President of the Board of Trade (Sir Andrew Duncan)The members of the Export Council were chosen, not because of their knowledge of particular trades, but because they were persons of wide knowledge and experience in the various aspects of commercial and industrial life. They are, in my judgment, well qualified to deal with the considerations that arise in relation to export trade, whether the markets are sellers' markets or buyers' markets.
§ Mr. LiddallIs not the Minister aware that the majority of these theoretical gentlemen are quite unfit for these jobs?
§ 16. Mr. Shinwellasked the President of the Board of Trade when he expects to be in a position to make a full statement to hon. Members on his policy for stimulating exports?
§ Sir A. DuncanSince their appointment, the Export Council have been giving their urgent consideration to the need for making a public statement of their plans and I expect to present a White Paper very shortly.
§ Mr. ShinwellApart from any views held by the Export Council, has the right hon. Gentleman no views of his own, and is he aware that there is considerable anxiety about this and will he not make a personal statement very soon?
§ Sir A. DuncanI would remind the hon. Member that I am chairman of the Export Council.
§ Mr. ShinwellThen would the right hon. Gentleman, as chairman of the Export Council, impart his views to the House?
§ Sir A. DuncanI have just stated that a White Paper will be presented very shortly.
§ 17. Mr. Shinwellasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the reluctance of many traders to under take the export of goods owing to the risks involved; that many prefer to engage in internal trade free from risk; and whether he has any proposals for dealing with this situation?
§ Sir A. DuncanThe matters to which the hon. Member refers are prominently in the minds of the members of the Export Council and I hope that with their assistance methods will be found for dealing with the situation in individual trades. The methods will, of course, vary from trade to trade.
§ 18. Rear-Admiral Beamishasked the President of the Board of Trade whether members of the Export Council will visit various overseas countries to develop ex port trade by personal contact, or depute such duties to individuals or groups of British firms in relevant trades while directing export trade expansion from here in an advisory capacity rather than by contacts in the overseas markets?
§ Sir A. DuncanThe immediate task of the Export Council is to assist in the organisation of industry with a view to maintaining and increasing the export trade as a vital part of our war effort. It must clearly be the task of individual industries and groups to undertake the personal contacts to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers.
§ Sir F. SandersonIs my right hon. Friend aware that thousands of consignments of material for export are being held up because of the shortage of freights? Can he do anything to assist in the matter?
§ Sir A. DuncanIt is our duty to give all the assistance we can, and if the hon. Member would give me particulars I should be happy to look into them.
§ Sir F. SandersonI have done so and also to the shipping controllers, without result.