§ 61. Mr. Woodburnasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that many small firms with specialised products fear the risks of experiment and lack experience of exporting; and whether he will set up an organisation to encourage, help, and guarantee such firms in order to increase United Kingdom export trade.
§ Mr. ErrollYes, Sir, but small firms who do not wish to export direct can easily be put in touch with merchants who are familiar with all the problems. If the hon. Member knows of any small firm which is thinking of exporting and would like advice on the various ways of going about it, I hope he will urge them to get in touch with the nearest regional office of the Board.
§ Mr. WoodburnWhy should it be my job to get small firms to export? Is it not the job of the Board of Trade to try to find small firms which are capable of exporting and to give them such encouragement and guidance as it can?
§ Mr. ErrollI assure the right hon. Gentleman that that is precisely what we are doing. I shall be glad to explain the matter in more detail at the end of the debate on this subject tomorrow night.