§ 41. Mr. Vernon Bartlettasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will undertake the preparation of a handbook of British firms working specially for export and will arrange for the widest distribution of this handbook through embassies, legations, consulates and tourist offices, in order that foreign firms may have no difficulty in ascertaining what British articles are immediately available and where they may be obtained.
§ Sir S. CrippsNo, Sir. The practical value of such a handbook would not be such as to warrant the cost and labour of its original compilation and constant revision.
§ Mr. BartlettIs the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that at present any firm which wishes to buy British goods has to get in touch with a very large number of firms before it can find out 911 those which are prepared to export? Is he further aware that before the war the Austrian Government had an extraordinarily useful book of that sort, and would he, perhaps, consult with some Austrians who may be able to assist him in this matter?
§ Sir S. CrippsIf persons will use the machinery which is available through the Department of Overseas Trade, they will find there are perfectly adequate methods of getting in touch with the right people.