§ 65. Mr. Keelingasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that British artists find it impossible to obtain smooth Bristol board and Gillott artists' nibs; and whether he will, arrange for a sufficient proportion of the production of these necessities of British painting to be placed on the home market.
§ Mr. BelcherI am aware that Gillott artists' nibs are difficult to obtain but the firm is unable, because of a shortage of skilled labour, to increase its output, and I am most anxious not to ask them to reduce the valuable contribution which they are making to exports. Supplies of all boards generally are difficult but if the hon. Member will give me further details, I will look into the matter.
§ Mr. KeelingAre the Board of Trade alive to the importance of British art for its own sake? Even if they are not, and take a purely commercial view, do they not think an exported picture made on Bristol board with a Gillott nib is more valuable to the country than an exported board and nib?
§ Mr. BelcherI am quite prepared to concede the value of British art as such, but perhaps the hon. Member does not know that one ton of steel, applied to the manufacture of these nibs for export, provides a value of £16,000, which is a high conversion rate.
§ Mr. KeelingWhat about the export value of pictures?
§ Mr. BelcherWe have no guarantee that a picture will be exported.