§ 26. Mr. Palmerasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make avail able details of the consultancy service to be initiated by the National Union of Manufacturers with the £5,000 to be granted to them from counterpart funds derived from American Economic Aid.
§ Mr. H. StraussThe National Union of Manufacturers is engaging a technical assistance officer, whose duty it will be to keep members of the National Union informed about technical developments, to advise generally on measures to improve productivity and on the best sources for specialised advice on technical matters. He will be available for consultation by non-members of the National Union.
§ Mr. PalmerWhile recognising the generosity that made this assistance available, may I ask the Minister whether British manufacturers are now so poor and bankrupt that they cannot provide at their own expense the kind of technical service which this consultancy service is supposed to give?
§ Mr. StraussThe hon. Member would be wrong in concluding that they are not providing some of the funds necessary for this purpose. This is an additional grant.
§ 27. Mr. Palmerasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will name the trade and employers associations which are to receive a share of the £72,000 total grant from counterpart funds derived from American Economic Aid; and the sum allocated to each association.
§ Mr. H. StraussMy right hon. Friend cannot yet give this information since discussions are still in progress, but he expects to be able to do so soon.
§ 31. Mr. Palmerasked the President of the Board of Trade the terms and conditions on which he has invited applications for loans to industry from the revolving loan fund made available from counterpart funds derived from American Economic Aid.
§ Mr. H. StraussI would refer the hon. Member to the explanatory leaflet of which I am sending him a copy.