§ 59. Mr. Geoffrey Cooperasked the President of the Board of Trade in view of the recent falling off of British imports to Switzerland, what steps he is taking to ensure that imports to Switzerland from the bizone of Germany are not undercutting the prices of similar imports from Great Britain.
§ Mr. BottomleyIt is the policy of the Joint Export/Import Agency, which is responsible for supervising the foreign trade of the bizone, to ensure that German exporters charge prices in line with world prices. If my hon. Friend cares to let me have particulars of any case where this policy appeared to have been evaded. I will be pleased to make inquiries.
§ Mr. CooperDoes my hon. Friend realise that the Commercial Attaché and British Consuls in Switzerland have been sending out circular letters to Swiss merchants asking the reason for the falling off of British imports into Switzerland whereas, if they really got outside their offices and were in close touch with the situation, they would quickly learn that it is the policy we are pursuing in Germany that is undermining our exports to Western Europe?
§ Mr. BottomleyWe are in close touch, and our commercial representative takes all the necessary steps. I repeat that if the hon. Member can send me information supporting what he has said, I shall be pleased to have it.