HC Deb 10 February 1949 vol 461 cc507-9
12. Mr. Horabin

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is yet able to make a statement on the further progress which has been made by the Working Party on Export Forms.

Mr. H. Wilson

Yes, Sir. As I announced on 25th March last, in answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Kennington (Mr. Gibson), the Working Party had completed its first interim Report which dealt specifically with Government forms. It has now completed a report on the second stage of its work—the examination of the forms required by shipowners, port authorities, banks and similar organisations in the United Kingdom. This second Report, and its recommendations, will be summarised in an early issue of the "Board of Trade Journal."

The Working Party examined seven major groups of forms, and was able to make recommendations for some simplification of procedure in respect of five of them. The Government Departments concerned are arranging for early discussion with shipowners, banks, and others of the modifications to their present practices which will be necessary to make the recommendations effective.

I believe that the second Report is a most useful document, and I hope that the bodies concerned will find it possible to carry out its recommendations without delay, thus easing the task of "form-filling" for our exporters. The Working Party has now entered on the third stage of its inquiry—the examination of the forms required by overseas Governments.

Mr. Drayson

Has the right hon. Gentleman considered the question of forms required for sending samples overseas, because that is extremely irksome to a number of exporters when they are trying to do business?

Mr. Wilson

I am not sure whether the hon. Member is referring to Government forms, or forms required by shippers, banks and other people. The second Report dealt only with shippers, bankers and so on.

Mr. Drayson

The CD/3 form and other forms which have to be filled in when exporters send samples overseas.

Mr. Wilson

That was dealt with in the first Report and I should be glad to let the hon. Member have particulars of the findings.