§ 41. Mr. McEnteeasked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department for what specific duties it has recently been decided to establish a new unit known as the Directorate for Post-War Export Trade Development, in view of the fact that the war situation creates insurmountable difficulties in development work in regard to overseas trade; whether he will give the name of the director of this unit, his salary and his age; and why representations made by the staff side of his departmental Whitley Council, to the effect that it would be quite possible for the existing staff to perform all this work possible in present circumstances, were overruled?
§ Mr. Harcourt Johnstone (Secretary, Overseas Trade Department)As the hon. Member is aware, the name of the officer in question is Mr. Rodgers; his age is 35; his salary is at the rate of £1,000 18 a year, which is the same as he received from the Ministry of Information as Adviser on Overseas Planning before his transfer to my Department. He is employed in co-operation with the Export Industries of the United Kingdom upon an examination of the conditions affecting the prospects of this country's post-war export trade. With my knowledge and approval, the staff side of the Departmental Whitley Council were informed that the Official Side, after careful consideration of their representations, did not share their views.