HC Deb 25 November 1948 vol 458 cc1385-6
9. Mr. Edelman

asked the President of the Board of Trade what change in the organisation of his Department affecting its services to the country's export trade he has decided to make.

Mr. H. Wilson

I have decided to amalgamate the Commercial Relations and Treaties Department and the Export Promotion Department, so that both trade policy and matters of trade promotion will, when the amalgamation is complete, be the responsibility of a single department to be known as the Commercial Relations and Exports Department. The position and duties of my hon. Friend the Secretary for Overseas Trade will not be affected. I hope and believe that this arrangement, which will become effective within two or three weeks, will lead to increased efficiency and therefore result in an improved service to exporters. An article giving further particulars will appear in the "Board of Trade Journal," copies of which will be available in the Library.