HC Deb 29 July 1965 vol 717 cc671-2
28. Mr. Wallace

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will arrange for export statistics, other than those normally supplied by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise, to be available to manufacturers free of charge.

Mr. Jay

I am not convinced that the present charges are excessive.

Mr. Wallace

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that, in our drive for exports, we should give the maximum information in the shortest possible time, without fiddling about with questions of cost?

Mr. Jay

I agree with that in general, but in this case I cannot see any reason why firms should not pay a reasonable charge, like everyone else, for this sort of publication.

Dr. Bray

Will my right hon. Friend consider making rather fuller information about imports available so that, when a firm is failing even to meet home market demand, its competitors can see this and get into the market quickly?

Mr. Jay

There is a good deal of information available already, but if my hon. Friend has any further particulars in mind, I shall consider them.