HL Deb 10 October 1944 vol 133 cc434-6

3.57 P.m.

LORD TEVIOT

My Lords, I beg to ask the question standing on the Paper in my name:

[The question was as follows:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have seen the report appearing in the Press of October 5 of an announcement by the State Department in Washington to the effect that U.S. foreign service officers are reminded that American trade interests desire information regarding all business contacts and interests in the liberated areas, and are instructed to investigate the status of American branch and affiliated factories there, with a view to establishing how they can be used and the prospect of their resumption of trade operations in the near future; and whether similar instructions are being issued to British consular and other officers with a view to securing similar opportunities for British industries.]

VISCOUNT CRANBORNE

My Lords, I have seen the announcement to which the noble Lord refers regarding the instructions issued by the United States Department of State to United States diplomatic and consular representatives stationed in areas liberated from Axis control calling for reports on economic and trade conditions for the guidance of both Government and private interests. I fully appreciate the desire of the noble Lord that British trade interests in the countries concerned should not be neglected, but I can assure him that it is the main function of His Majesty's commercial diplomatic or consular officers to report and make inquiries on matters of this kind and no special instructions are required.

LORD TEVIOT

My Lords, arising out of the reply, for which I thank my noble friend, may I ask him whether he would ask the Government to take steps immediately to ensure that all the Allied countries should have equal facilities for reestablishing their commercial connexions in the liberated areas in the Commonwealth and in the world's markets?

VISCOUNT CRANBORNE

In answer to the supplementary question of the noble Lord, I can assure him that regulations are already in existence which aim at that precise purpose.

There is to be a Royal Commission shortly and I think the most suitable plan would be for your Lordships to adjourn during pleasure.

House adjourned during pleasure.

House resumed.