HC Deb 12 July 1960 vol 626 cc1166-7
32. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that there are now in Scotland representatives of the Government of Canada for the purpose of developing Scottish trade with Canada; and if he will make a detailed statement of his conversations with them and the progress made towards reciprocal trade between Scotland and Canada.

The Minister of State, Board of Trade (Mr. F. J. Erroll)

My right hon. Friend assumes that the hon. and learned Member is referring to the appointment of a Canadian Government Trade Commissioner in Glasgow early this year. The Board of Trade Office for Scotland is in touch with the Trade Commissioner and hopes to work closely with him on all matters concerning the promotion of trade between Scotland and Canada.

Mr. Hughes

Is the Minister aware that I am not referring to anything of the kind, but am referring to the trade delegation which was in Scotland at the time when this Question was put on the Order Paper? Is it not an abject confession of ignorance on the part of the Minister if he does not know of that delegation? Will he consult some expert—say, Mr. Roy Thomson—who is conversant with the needs of Scotland and the potentialities of trade with Canada, with a view to doing something really practical for the trade and industry of Scotland?

Mr. Erroll

I think the hon. and learned Gentleman has caught me out properly this time. If he had not got this habit of always postponing his Questions they would not get out of date.