§ 11. Sir A. Southbyasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the activities of the United Kingdom Commercial Corporation and its subsidiaries; and to what 341 extent this corporation is acting, directly or indirectly, or as agent for His Majesty's Government?
§ Mr. DaltonYes, Sir. This organisation, which was set up by His Majesty's Government in April, 1940, is doing most valuable work in many parts of the world. The Corporation, with its subsidiaries, acts, for the most part, as agent for one Department or another of His Majesty's Government; but it also gives assistance to private traders.
§ Sir A. SouthbyWill the Minister give an assurance that at the termination of hostilities this organisation will cease to exist and to function?
§ Mr. DaltonNo, Sir.
§ Sir Herbert WilliamsSeeing that this organisation was set up in the first place to trade in a part of the world which has now been completely overrun, has it not been necessary to save its face by inventing new jobs for it?
§ Mr. DaltonNo, Sir, that is a complete misunderstanding of the position. It is true that, in the earlier stages, this body was of very great help in pre-emptive activities in countries which have since been overrun by the enemy, but many new duties have since developed, and this body is discharging them very effectively.
§ Mr. Austin HopkinsonOught its present activities properly to be described as commercial?
§ Mr. DaltonYes, Sir, I think so.