§ 14 and 15. Mr. Gibsonasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) how much hand-made pottery, and its value in dollars, has been exported to the United States of America since the New York office of British Export Handicraft was opened;
(2) whether his Department have, through British Export Handicraft, advised British craftsmen in pottery as to the types of hand-made wares which will sell best in United States of America.
Mr. H. WilsonBritish Handcrafts Export are an independent company for which the Board of Trade have no special responsibility. I am, however, informed by them that they are in continuous touch with a number of hand-potters in this country to whom they supply information, received from their agent in New York, as to types of ware likely to sell best in the United States. Since the opening of their office in New York in January of this year, British Handcrafts Export have sent to the United States a test consignment of about 2,000 pieces of hand-thrown pottery, valued at approximately 6,000 dollars at retail prices in the United States.
§ Mr. GibsonWill my right hon. Friend do his utmost to encourage this particular export of British handcrafts?
Mr. WilsonYes, Sir; I think we should all desire to encourage the linking of the British handcraft industries of all kinds with the dollar exports drive.
§ Sir Herbert WilliamsWill the right hon. Gentleman retain a small quantity of it for the benefit of the Festival of Britain?
Mr. WilsonAs the hon. Gentleman will be aware, there are many plans already in hand for examples of pottery 1110 and other commodities, showing what this country can do in design and craftsmanship, to be shown at the Festival of Britain.