§ 4. Mr. Ness Edwardsasked the President of the Board of Trade what are the chief items in our exports at the present time, and what percentage of the whole does each represent?
§ Sir A. DuncanAs has been stated in reply to previous Questions, the publication of particulars of our trade in individual commodities has been suspended since the outbreak of war, but the hon. Member will find in the published monthly Trade Accounts particulars of the value of the principal groups of commodities concerned in our export trade.
7. Mr. David Adamsasked the President of the Board of Trade what steps are being taken to push our export trade with the South American Republics; and is there reason to believe that some of the gaps in this market have already been filled by the United States of America and other neutrals?
§ 14. Mr. Emeryasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the export groups have, by reorganising their local selling methods in Brazil, and by improved personal salesmanship in that country, tried to recapture the lost sales to Brazil of coal, caustic soda, tyres, cotton yarns and thread, and china and sanitary ware; and with what results?
§ Sir A. DuncanSpecial attention has been given by the Export Council, in consultation with the Export Groups, to the South American markets. Whilst substantial increases have already been obtained in some products, our own and allied Service demands on certain raw materials make it impossible for this country to fill some of the more important gaps which war circumstances have made. Continuous attention, however, is being directed to the possibilities of expanding our trade in these markets.
Mr. AdamsThe Minister will agree that there is wide scope for additional export trade to these particular countries?
§ Sir A. DuncanYes, Sir, but the widest scope unhappily is with products needing raw materials which must, in present circumstances, be directed to urgent Service requirements.
§ 10. Mr. S. O. Daviesasked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is intended to give financial assistance to export groups?
§ Sir A. DuncanNo, Sir.
11. Mr. J. J. Davidsonasked the President of the Board of Trade whether there are any export commodities which are quoted at differential rates according to the country to which they are exported?
§ Sir A. DuncanYes, Sir.
§ Sir A. DuncanNo, Sir, and I think it must be obvious that it would be most injudicious to make a publication of that kind.
Mr. DavidsonBut is the Minister aware that a considerable amount of prejudice has been created by those differential rates?
§ Sir A. DuncanNo, Sir, I am not aware of anything of the kind.
§ Mr. ShinwellCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether, when lower rates are quoted, we are getting value for our money?
§ Sir A. DuncanI hope that in all cases we shall get value for our money.
§ 15. Mr. Shinwellasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Government contemplate setting up a State-controlled body which shall undertake the exporting and financing of goods for markets abroad?
§ Sir A. DuncanSuch a step is not at present in contemplation.
§ Mr. ShinwellDoes the right hon. Gentleman expect to introduce a really substantial drive in exports without some effective co-ordination such as is indicated in the Question?
§ Sir A. DuncanI would suggest that the figures for March and April show that there has been a really substantial drive. We are prepared at all times to consider any expedient which will have the effect of adding to the sum total of our export trade.
§ Sir Granville Gibsonasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, 1111 in view of the fact that relying upon goods selling themselves on their merits in foreign markets has failed to secure business in competition with the personal salesmanship of other exporting countries, he will state whether it is his intention to press upon the Export Council the importance of securing increased export trade, based upon a bolder policy than in the past, including, if need be, concessions in prices at the expense of the home trade?
§ Sir A. DuncanI do not accept the general implication of the first part of the Question. I can assure my hon-Friend that the Export Council are in constant touch with Export Groups in order to concert positive measures for promoting particular exports and that questions of price and representation overseas are prominently kept in mind.