HC Deb 13 December 1960 vol 632 c201
33. Mr. E. Johnson

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many Government-sponsored trade centres to display and promote sales of British products have been established in other countries on lines similar to the trade promotion headquarters to be established in London by the Government of the United States of America in the spring of 1961.

Mr. Erroll

Although the Board of Trade has in a few places, and on a very much smaller scale, used displays of this kind, it has taken the view that other methods, such as participation in overseas exhibitions, make better use of available resources. It is, however, as part of the current examination of export promotion, reconsidering whether trade centres of this kind would justify themselves.

Mr. Johnson

Would not my right hon. Friend agree that trade centres of this kind would give really practical assistance to our export trade and would be of more value than exhortations to sell abroad and perhaps even be of more value than restrictions on credit at home? May I express the hope that this point will be taken into consideration?

Mr. Erroll

This is but one form of export trade promotion. There are many others, and we feel that so far the others have been more profitable to all concerned. We will look into this matter, however, as part of our general examination.