HC Deb 10 March 1955 vol 538 cc602-3
31. Mr. de Freitas

asked the President of the Board of Trade the size of the staff of the United Kingdom Trade Commission in Canada in January, 1955, 1954, 1953, and 1952, respectively.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

Eighty-eight, 84, 76 and 88.

Mr. de Freitas

In view of the alarming falling off in our exports to Canada, is the President really satisfied that the staff of the United Kingdom Trade Commissioner in Canada is large enough?

Mr. Thorneycroft

The falling off in our exports to Canada is due to causes other than the staff in Canada, which does an admirable job of work, and to whose efforts I have had tributes paid by many industries.

Mr. de Freitas

In view of the fact that these exports have fallen off, and the obvious importance of getting them back, will the President undertake to look into the matter again and see if the staff in Canada can help to restore the position?

Mr. Thorneycroft

The staff there certainly do help our export trade. Under all Governments they have done a very fine job of work. If I thought it necessary to increase their numbers I should do so, but I am not so satisfied at the present time.