HC Deb 12 June 1956 vol 554 cc217-8
8 and 10. Mr. Ellis Smith

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he has given consideration to the report entitled "Overseas Economic Surveys, United States of America "; and what action he has taken or proposes to take;

(2) what specific action he proposes to take on the suggestions contained in pages 148, 149 and 150, in the Report entitled "Overseas Economic Surveys, United States of America."

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

Yes, Sir. This survey was published by the Board of Trade and given full publicity, and I am glad to see that it received a good report in the Press. My Department constantly advertises the Government services available to exporters to the United States and the export opportunities which exist there.

Mr. Ellis Smith

Does the President not admit that this is an excellent document, and do we not owe it to those who compiled it to take more resolute action than we appear to have done up to now? Is the right hon. Gentleman further aware that large-scale industry takes advantage of the excellent Government service provided through the export credit scheme, but that smaller-scale industry has no means of taking advantage of it? Is it not up to his Department to see that the service is given freely to all?

Mr. Thorneycroft

I am very grateful to the hon. Gentleman for the compli- ment that he pays to the Board of Trade on the provision and advertising of documents of this kind. I think that they serve a useful service.

Mr. Ellis Smith

But what resolute action is the President going to take in order to see that the advice in the document is carried out?

Mr. Thorneycroft

We produced the document and we circulate and advertise it widely, but, of course, we cannot undertake those rigorous forms of control which the hon. Gentleman has in mind. We are limited to advice.

9. Mr. Ellis Smith

asked the President of the Board of Trade what specific action he proposes to take in regard to the suggestions made in page 146 of the Report entitled "Overseas Economic Surveys, United States of America," about china and earthenware in regard to the demand for simple patterns and shapes.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

The British Pottery Manufacturers Federation is aware of the suggestion referred to by the hon. Member. Action in regard to it is a matter for the commercial judgment of the firms concerned.

Mr. Ellis Smith

In view of the serious economic position of this country, has not the time arrived when it should be Government responsibility to stimulate a drive in industry, and are not the proposals contained in this report complete confirmation of those of us who have been advocating this suggestion for a long time? Will the right hon. Gentleman now give an undertaking that he is going to put some drive behind proposals of this kind?

Mr. Thorneycroft

The suggestion referred to was that there was a new demand for simpler patterns and shapes and that it is here that the possibility of expanding the United Kingdom market may lie. That is probably true, but this is a matter for the pottery manufacturers to pay attention to rather than for the hon. Gentleman or myself.