§ 37. Mr. Greenasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the achievements of the Council of Industrial Design in helping to win a reputation in overseas markets for British design and what plans he has for its future.
§ Mr. J. RodgersYes, Sir. The Council of Industrial Design has done much valuable work in this field, and the Design Centre and Design Index are widely known both here and abroad by those looking for the best examples of current British design. In addition, the Council has organised exhibitions of well-designed consumer goods at many overseas fairs and has stimulated displays in department stores in a number of important cities overseas. The Department is discussing with the Council ways in which its work may be continued and, perhaps, extended.
§ Mr. GreenI thank my hon. Friend for that reply. Does he realise that, after reflection, I should prefer to have the words "helping to sustain a reputation" rather than "helping to win a reputation" in the Question? Secondly, will my hon. Friend pay particular attention to those small firms from which, in the past and today, so much new forward-looking design has come?
§ Mr. RodgersI agree with my hon. Friend, and I am glad to have his suggested correction of the words "to win a reputation", because I know that he wishes to pay a tribute to the high standard of design among the broad mass of manufacturers in this country. The Council does all it can to bring to the 237 attention of small manufacturers the services it has to offer in order to improve the general standard of design in this country.