§ 14. Mr. Thomas Coxasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he proposes to hold with the Confederation of British Industry in order to encourage the development of trade with Canada.
§ Mr. Anthony GrantWe are in close touch with the C.B.I. and discuss export matters with them as they arise. In addition, we expect that the Chairman of the British Export Board will wish to discuss the promotion of our exports to Canada, and to other major markets, with the C.B.I. and other interested bodies.
§ Mr. CoxWhile noting that reply, may I ask the hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that we have lost a large percentage of our traditional markets in Canada to the Germans and Japanese principally because of the could-not-care-less attitude of far too many British manufacturers and salesmen to the importance to the Canadians of first-class sales agencies and after-sales services? Will the hon. Gentleman in his discussions with the C.B.I. emphasise this point because if we hope to regain those markets this is a priority which we shall have to face?
§ Mr. GrantCertainly we will take note of what the hon. Member says, but I am bound to say that I do not entirely agree 15 with him, because I believe that our business men are in close contact with Canada. A recent example was the meeting at Windsor, Ontario, on this subject. It is borne out by the fact that at the end of the first nine months of this year our exports to Canada were 11.5 per cent. up on those in the first nine months of 1970.