§ 2. Mr. Ellis Smithasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will arrange for exhibits of nuclear energy plant to be on show at the forthcoming British Fair of Industry and Commerce, which is to be held at Belle Vue, Manchester, in 1958; and whether, in view of the need to stimulate exports, he will encourage exporting industries to take part in the fair.
§ The President of the Board of Trade (Sir David Eccles)It is for the Atomic Energy Authority and the manufacturers of the plant to decide whether to exhibit at this Fair. Information about the Fair has been given in the Board of Trade Journal. If exporters judge it will serve their commercial interests I have no doubt they will show at Manchester.
§ Mr. Ellis SmithIn view of the importance of these exhibitions, and the obvious fact that they have the good will of the right hon. Gentleman and his Department, will the President consider writing to the Lord Mayor of Manchester with a view to making this exhibition as successful as possible? May I make it clear that I am not expecting a reply now?
§ Sir D. EcclesI will certainly consider that suggestion.
§ Mr. E. JohnsonMay I ask my right hon. Friend if he is aware that the view has been expressed by members of the Canadian Trade Mission that our goods are still the best in the world, that it would be in the best interests of Canada to buy them, but that we lag sadly behind in taking opportunities, such as that suggested by the hon. Gentleman the Member for Stoke-on-Trent, South (Mr. Ellis Smith), in making this fact known to our potential customers? Will my right hon. Friend do all he can to encourage industry to advertise more?
§ Sir D. EcclesI think that the views of the Canadian Mission on salesmanship would be of great interest and value to our industry.