HC Deb 15 December 1949 vol 470 cc2897-8
22. Sir Patrick Hannon

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent he has arranged for publicity to be given to the facilities which the Export Credit Guarantee Department are prepared to offer to exporters to the dollar market.

Mr. H. Wilson

A Press conference to explain the new facilities offered by the Export Credits Guarantee Department was held on 26th October, and a statement about them was then circulated to the national and trade Press, as well as being published in the Board of Trade Journal on 29th October. Pamphlets showing the services offered by the Department have been made available at all the branch offices of the Department as well as at the regional offices of the Board of Trade. I understand too that the Dollar Exports Board has circulated details widely in industry. The matter has also been referred to in a number of public statements including one I made at a Press conference which my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer and I held on 8th December.

Sir P. Hannon

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for his reply, may I ask him if he will make sure that all the officers of the Board of Trade in every part of the country realise the importance of this concession which has been made in the expansion of our export trade and to supplement what the Dollar Export Board are doing at the present moment?

Mr. Wilson

Yes, Sir. I only wish I had the same confidence that the whole of industry were aware of the facilities available, and would make use of them in proper cases, as I have in regard to the officers of the Board of Trade.

Mr. Stokes

May I ask the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the importance of making the consumer, or user, in Canada aware of the facilities to be provided, in any statement which may be published, he will make it perfectly clear that the backing of His Majesty's Government is behind every firm which proposes to stock spare parts for the servicing of machines which may be shipped to Canada?

Mr. Wilson

Yes, Sir, I have said that on a number of occasions, both in regard to Canada and the United States.