§ 3. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he has taken during the last two months to encourage trade between north-east Scotland and the Scandinavian countries.
§ Mr. ErrollThe export services of the Board of Trade are always at the disposal of exporters in north-east Scotland, as in all parts of the United Kingdom. For our trade with Scandinavia the outstanding event of the last two months has been the British Exhibition and Trade Fair held in Stockholm from 18th May to 3rd June.
§ Mr. HughesAs one of the survivors of the recent Front Bench wreck, does the Minister remember that last February White Paper No. 1626 solemnly promised
a more vigorous development of our export trade"?Does he realise that that has not taken place in the north-east of Scotland? What is he doing about it? Does he realise that there are complaints from Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce and other authoritative bodies about it, and will he take urgent steps to remedy this deficiency?
§ Mr. ErrollThe development of exports is, of course, a matter for the private trader, helped by Government 1702 export services wherever appropriate. I am glad to say that the majority of private traders in Great Britain as a whole have been contributing to an increase in exports every month this year.
§ Lady TweedsmuirWhat active steps is my right hon. Friend's Department taking to encourage North-East and Scottish traders to take part in the "Gateway to Britain" Exhibition in Scandinavia and also in the Scotsman Exhibition, particularly devoted to Scottish products? What has my right hon. Friend done particularly to encourage and interest manufacturers in Aberdeen?
§ Mr. ErrollThe Board of Trade is in touch with, and giving advice on request to, the organisers of the Scotsman Exhibition and also the Dundee Chamber of Commerce, which plans to hold an exhibition in Oslo in the spring of 1963. Our assistance to exporters is on a national basis and is not directed particularly to any one city or town.