§ Q5. Mr. Maxwellasked the Prime Minister what progress the Exports Awards Committee has been making towards setting up machinery for considering claims for the awards for outstanding export achievements and for technological innovation; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Prime MinisterI have as yet nothing to add to the Answer I gave on the 17th of June to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Goole (Mr. George Jeger).
§ Mr. MaxwellWhen will it be possible for my right hon. Friend to make a statement on this important matter? Our exporters have noticed that whereas in order to encourage exports the previous Administration merely said, "Exports are fun "—[HON. MEMBERS:" Question."]—they have noticed that the present Government—[HON. MEMBERS: "Question."]—took the immediate action of offering export incentives. Our exporters now require the other half of the step to be completed. This important Committee matters to them and we would like to know when a statement will be made.
§ The Prime MinisterIn answer to the question— [Laughter.]—the question "When?"—the position is that this very high-powered Committee has been meeting, as my hon. Friend knows, presided over by His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh. It contains representatives of those concerned in industry. I happen to know, or think that I know, that the work is nearly complete. I shall make a statement as soon as we have details.
§ Mr. OnslowIs the Prime Minister aware that this year marks the thirtieth anniversary of the creation of the Stakhanovite movement in industry in Russia and that, whatever the experience of the hon. Member for Buckingham (Mr. Maxwell) may be, subsequent Russian experience suggests that the profit motive is the most effective stimulus to economic progress?
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir. But I hope that the hon. Gentleman is not suggesting that businesses wish to go in for exports only if they can see big profits in them. One of the big problems we have to face is that exporting is a hard way of earning money. I am constantly receiving reports from Commonwealth areas of potential orders which are going begging because we do not even put in a tender. Whether it is Stakhanovism or anything else, I hope that more of our exporters will go after those orders which they can get.
§ Mr. StraussWill my right hon. Friend consider the invariably stimulating effect of awarding booby prizes?
§ The Prime MinisterThis would raise some very difficult questions about who would qualify for them in the export trade.
§ Mr. KershawHas the Prime Minister any intention of awarding M.B.E.s for exports in future?
§ The Prime MinisterWe have been recently reading Press reports of a considerable number of awards of honours at all levels specifically for export services. I think that the whole House feels that the special citations in the last two Honours Lists for services to the export trade are for the general good of the country and show recognition of those who have been earning foreign currency.