74. Dr. Russell Thomasasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any information to give the House as to any steps taken to examine and consider the problem of our post-war overseas trade?
§ Mr. Harcourt Johnstone (Secretary, Department of Overseas Trade)His Majesty's Government have for some time been actively engaged upon a comprehensive study of post-war economic and commercial policy. The special problems of our export trade have been under detailed investigation since December, 1941, by a committee of business men and officials under my chairmanship.
Dr. ThomasDoes my hon. Friend fully appreciate that the post-war internal prosperity of this country is dependent upon the prosperity of our overseas trade?
§ Mr. JohnstoneVery much so.
Mr. De la BèreCan the hon. Gentleman tell us what the Department of Overseas Trade is doing now? So many people are really interested in that.
§ Mr. JohnstoneIt is doing this work.