HC Deb 05 March 1940 vol 358 cc182-3
22. Sir Reginald Blair

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will suggest to the Export Council that they should now take the initiative, in collaboration with the British insurance companies, to stimulate the extension of British insurance business as an invisible export to those neutral countries which have in the past given business to German insurance concerns, and by that means avoid hurried efforts to capture this business at the last moment on the termination of hostilities?

The President of the Board of Trade (Sir Andrew Duncan)

I understand that the British insurance interests already have under consideration the question of stimulating British insurance business abroad as an invisible export, and, in that connection, the suggestion made by my hon. Friend will be borne in mind.

Mr. Davidson

Is it not a complete departure in policy to suggest that this board should take the initiative?