§ 2.36 p.m.
§ LORD BALFOUR OF INCHRYEMy Lords, I beg to ask the first Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, in the interests of greater inter-Commonwealth trade, reconsideration can be given to the policy of restricting United Kingdom participation in trade exhibitions and fairs to those held in dollar countries.]
§ LORD MANCROFTMy Lords, the main United Kingdom participation in trade exhibitions and fairs takes the form of exhibits by individual exporters and their agents. Her Majesty's Government take part in a limited number of trade fairs only, most of which are not in dollar countries. The noble Lord will be pleased to learn, therefore, that the recent statement made by the United Kingdom Trade Commissioner in Wellington, New Zealand, to which the noble Lord has drawn attention in The Times newspaper, is quite incorrect.
§ LORD BALFOUR OF INCHRYEMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord, Lord Mancroft, and may I ask him to convey to those in the Government who are concerned, my relief at the information that he has given to-day.