18. Mr. Creech Jonesasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps have been taken by his Department to develop markets in and trade with the United States of America and the South American nations for Colonial products; and whether any arrangements exist in America for the supply of information to the American people on British Colonial affairs and the promotion of better understanding?
§ The Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. George Hall)Colonial exports to America, and especially to the United States, are encouraged by all practicable means, such as the free grant of export licences, and the possibility of increased exports of a number of particular commodities has already been discussed with the United States authorities. An officer of the Colonial Office has recently been sent specially to Washington to continue certain of these discussions, and the Comptroller for Development and Welfare in the West Indies has also recently been in Washington on a mission. As regards the second part of the Question, certain steps have already been taken to inform American public opinion about British Colonial affairs, and I am sending my hon. Friend details of these. Other projects are now receiving consideration.