HC Deb 26 January 1961 vol 633 cc327-8
30. Mr. Sydney Irving

asked the President of the Board of Trade what recommendations have been made by the Export Publicity Council and its three study groups.

Mr. Maudling

The Export Publicity Council is an advisory body, the main task of which is to give expert advice on publicity in support of British exports, rather than to make formal recommendations. The discussions of the Council are of continuing value for my Department's work in this field.

Mr. Irving

But is not the President of the Board of Trade able to give any indication of the sort of advice and recommendations that the Council has given? Does it not give the impression that this is a pretty low rate of productivity for a very high-powered Council that has been in existence for fourteen months, especially in view of our critical export situation? Will not he consider his Answer again?

Mr. Maudling

The point is that the Council is not there to make formal recommendations, but all such matters as trade fairs, literature, pamphlets and the like are put to the Council, and we are constantly getting advice from it. This is not a question of formal recommendations but general day-to-day advice on the quality, design and purpose of our export publicity.

Mr. Irving

But there are three study groups—there must be something they are studying. Cannot the right hon. Gentleman give some indication in detail of the work that is being done?

Mr. Maudling

Well, the Council deals with liaison with overseas correspondents in London, publicity in the developing countries of Africa, publicity in the Free Trade Association, and that sort of thing. It is not a question of formal recommendations at all.