HC Deb 25 March 1946 vol 421 cc33-4
87. Mr. Ernest Davies

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to ensure that United Kingdom exporters can secure detailed reports on trading opportunities overseas.

Mr. Marquand

In order that our exports may reach the volume essential for our national wellbeing, it is necessary that exporters should have the fullest possible information on conditions in overseas markets. My right hon. Friend has encouraged them to send their own representatives abroad to study such conditions. Arrangements have also been made for His Majesty's Commercial Diplomatic Officers and Trade Commissioners to submit continuous general reports and economic reviews. My right hon. Friend, however, is of the opinion that those reports should be supplemented by reports of a more specialised and detailed character. Some firms already carry out such investigations in particular territories, but this only partially covers potential markets. My right hon. Friend has been discussing with the British Export Trade Research Organisation how British exporters can be given an all-inclusive overseas service. This demands the use of specially trained technical observers such as are to be employed by British Export Trade Research Organisation. Discussions between the Board of Trade and British Export Trade Research Organisation have resulted in a working arrangement and as soon as British Export Trade Research Organisation have been able to engage the necessary trained personnel for posts abroad and to send out special investigators, they will be in a position to provide for their members more detailed reports which will supplement the general reports which are made by Commercial Diplomatic Officers and Trade Commissioners. For this purpose they will use the latest scientific fact finding methods. To ensure the closest possible working between the Government services and British Export Trade Research Organisation, to avoid duplication of effort and to give maximum service to exporters, a joint committee of the Department and that organisation will be set up to review results periodically and to arrange forward programmes. I am placing in the Library of the House of Commons a copy of the precis of these arrangements.

Mr. Henderson Stewart

The hon. Gentleman said that British export merchants were being encouraged to go abroad and can he also say that agents of British merchants overseas are equally encouraged to come here when necessary?

Mr. Marquand

Yes, Sir, we try to provide facilities both ways, as far as transport permits.