§ 41. Viscount Hinchingbrookeasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will define the division of responsibility between his Department and the Department of Overseas Trade; and with what industries and with what countries, respectively, each is concerned.
§ Mr. JohnstoneThe Board of Trade is responsible for formulating and carrying out industrial and trade policy. The main function of the Department of Overseas Trade is to provide assistance to exporters within the framework of that policy. The two Departments work in close collaboration and there is no division of functions by industry or by country.
§ Mr. ShinwellCan the right hon. Gentleman indicate what assistance is being afforded to exporters at the present time?
§ Mr. JohnstoneIf my hon. Friend will put that question down, I will be very glad to answer it.
§ Mr. ShinwellIt has been put down.
§ Mr. SpeakerThe supplementary question is not relevant to the original Question.