HC Deb 03 May 1956 vol 552 c577
18. Mr. J. Johnson

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that Liberia is a dollar market; and what steps he has taken in the last 12 months to encourage the increase of British exports, particularly in motor cars, to this country.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

Yes, Sir; and I am glad to say that our exports of motor cars to Liberia increased last year to a value of £60,000, as compared with £2,000 in 1954.

Mr. Johnson

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the biggest single handicap to the selling of cars in that country and West Africa is the lack of a decent spares organisation? Would he send a circular to the leading car firms on these lines, indicating that it would be a good thing to back their sales organisation?

Mr. Thorneycroft

The advantages of a good after-sales service are quite obvious to everybody and provide a useful concomitant to an export drive in motor cars, but the motor car manufacturers do not need me to tell them that.

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