§ 12. Mr. Errollasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to what extent the British Council has a duty to disseminate information overseas about British industrial and commercial enterprise.
§ Mr. NuttingThe British Council includes among its functions that of providing information overseas about British commercial enterprise in the educational, technical and scientific fields.
§ Mr. ErrollIs that function now being actively exercised?
§ Mr. NuttingI am informed that the functions include giving information about educational and scientific equipment, technological development and assisting the British book export trade.
§ Mr. SnowDoes not the main responsibility for watching the interest of British industry lie with the commercial counsellors attached to the various embassies, and in view of the very unsatisfactory nature of some of the replies given recently by the Minister, should not there be a shaking up of some of these commercial counsellors, who ought to be watching America's indirect trade with China?
§ Mr. NuttingThat supplementary does not really arise on this Question. I was asked to what extent the British Council has a duty to disseminate information overseas about industrial and commercial enterprises. The main duty for dealing with British industrial and commercial enterprises overseas rests with commercial counsellors.