§ 23. Mr. Bottomleyasked the President of the Board of Trade the policy of Her Majesty's Government in regard to the development of trade with South Africa.
§ The Minister of State, Board of Trade (Mr. A. R. W. Low)Our policy continues to be to take all practicable measures open to us to promote our trade with this important market.
§ Mr. BottomleyDoes the Minister think that we are prosecuting this trade energetically enough? Is he aware that the German Minister for Economic Affairs has been on a special trip to South Africa to push trade? Cannot we do more?
§ Mr. LowWe are always trying to see what more can be done to push our trade in this and other important markets. It is, however, worth while noting that our share of South Africa's imports was slightly larger in 1955 than in 1948.
§ Mr. BottomleyThe right hon. Gentleman is too complacent. It is true that world trade has been increasing, but the British share has not increased at the same rate. Are we to let the same thing happen in South Africa?
§ Mr. LowThe right hon. Gentleman cannot have listened to my Answer that our share of South Africa's imports in 1955 was slightly greater than in 1948.