§ 49. Sir Wavell Wakefieldasked the Prime Minister if he is aware of the grave anxiety which at present exists among export manufacturers at their inability to re-open those overseas markets whose needs can be met without hindrance to the war effort; and what steps he is proposing to take to co-ordinate the activities of the various Government Departments concerned to remove this anxiety and facilitate the development of our export trade before it is too late.
§ The Prime MinisterThe questions to which my hon. Friend refers are too wide to be dealt with within the compass of a Parliamentary answer. But there will be a full discussion to-morrow during the Debate on export trade and the industrial change-over from war to peace. I hope the House will not be over optimistic.
§ Mr. BowlesCould we have a Debate on the import trade as well?
§ The Prime MinisterOn the spur of the moment, I should have thought that imports and exports have such a well-established relation, that there must be a large borderland which would be common to both.
§ Sir W. WakefieldShall we be told to-morrow that active steps are being taken to co-ordinate the work of the various Government Departments to promote our export trade?
§ The Prime MinisterI ought not to anticipate the speeches which will be delivered by Members of the Government.
§ Sir G. ShakespeareIs the Prime Minister aware that there seems to be a complete ban against all British exports to South Africa, even when questions of Lend-Lease are not involved? Would he give his personal attention to it?
§ The Prime MinisterI will certainly asked to be kept informed on that point, which is most pertinent to the Debate fixed for to-morrow.