HC Deb 06 November 1947 vol 443 cc1982-3
21. Mr. Sparks

asked the President of the Board of Trade what advice he is giving to industries, which will now change over to production for export, as to the kinds and types of goods and commodities which will find a ready market abroad.

Mr. H. Wilson

There is no general advice which can be given to industries or firms on the type of goods which will sell abroad. This must be a matter of individual choice, and is partly determined by the firm's manufacturing capacity. But firms can be helped in making their choice by the supply of information about the general classes of goods in demand in each overseas country, the existence of barriers to sale such as import restrictions and the names of potential purchasers. Much of this information is published by my Department in the "Board of Trade Journal" and otherwise, but the best guidance can be given in interviews with representatives of individual firms, who should approach the regional export officers of my Department in the first instance.

Mr. Walter Fletcher

Is the Minister satisfied that he gets any changes in the areas in which goods can be sold sufficiently rapidly?

Mr. Wilson

Yes, Sir. "I think that in general we get very quick information, but we are going into the whole question of the information we get from overseas and its propagation among industrialists in this country.

Major Bruce

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that the information which his Department is making available is, in fact, being used to its fullest possible extent?

Mr. Wilson

I would like to see much more use made of the facilities we provide for exporters, both in London and in the Provinces.

Mr. Sparks

Is the Minister aware that there have been certain complaints that this information cannot be got from his Department and that people have been referred to private sources of information?

Mr. Wilson

I would like to have details of any such complaint.