HC Deb 10 November 1955 vol 545 cc1982-3
13. Mr. Bottomley

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will consider appointing a committee to go into the whole question of overseas trade exhibitions.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

Such a committee already exists. The Exhibitions Advisory Committee was appointed in 1949, and is widely representative of industry and commerce. The general question of our policy regarding overseas trade exhibitions has been thoroughly considered by them in the last twelve months, and the Government's current practice in this matter, as recently set out in the "Board of Trade Journal," takes full account of the Committee's advice.

Mr. Bottomley

Is it not a fact that this Advisory Council arose out of the 1946 Ramsden Committee, and that things have changed since then, so that the matter ought to be looked at again? As we have heard, in reply to a recent Question, something about an exhibition at New Delhi, should there not be consultation with the Foreign Office to see whether exhibitions cannot be dealt with nationally, and, for that reason, will not a new committee be required?

Mr. Thorneycroft

I think we should never take up an inflexible attitude about matters as complicated as trade fairs. This is a very representative Advisory Committee, with the trade unions and all walks of life in industry represented, and I am bound to say that on the commercial side I consider that I am well advised to take their advice in these matters.

Squadron Leader Cooper

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind the fact that trade fairs are not the only answer to our trade problems, but that we need first-class salesmen, backed up by an efficient service at home?

Mr. Thorneycroft

I agree with my hon. and gallant Friend, and I recognise that that view is very strongly held in British industrial circles today.