HC Deb 20 March 1952 vol 497 cc2541-2
33. Mr. Cyril Bence

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he proposes to take to offset the effect of a United States recession consequent on the decline in the value of the dollar.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

I assume that the hon. Member has in mind the current falling off in United States consumer demand. I am sure that we can rely on the determination of British exporters to do their best to meet the difficulties presented by temporary fluctuations of this kind. The Government will continue to give all appropriate support to manufacturers producing for export.

Mr. Bence

In view of the serious sacrifices which the present Government are imposing upon the people of this country, does not the right hon. Gentleman think it would be more advisable to concentrate our efforts to a greater extent on the development of our Colonies and our Commonwealth in order to provide not only a more secure market for the future, but to develop those countries in order to provide us with raw materials and food instead of concentrating such great efforts on what is a very precarious market?

Mr. Thorneycroft

I appreciate the desire of the hon. Gentleman to promote Imperial trade, but it goes rather wide of this Question.

Mr. de Freitas

Would it not be a great advantage, in attempting to boost our exports to the United States, if the President of the Board of Trade had not let the British Export Trade Research Organisation down?

Mr. Emrys Hughes

In view of the recession in trade with the U.S.A., will the right hon. Gentleman take more seriously the possibility of increasing trade with the U.S.S.R., and will he bear in mind that there is considerable anxiety in Scotland that there should be renewed trade in Scottish herrings?

Mr. Thorneycroft

That is a different question.