Mr. A. T. DAVIESasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether any arrangements for extending British markets in South America have been made or are proceeding; and what is the nature of these arrangements?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYThe Department of Overseas Trade, in co-operation with the various Trade Associations concerned, has despatched to South America a number of experts to report on the prospects for British trade in those industries. Investigations have been carried out in the jewellery and silverware trade and the confectionery trade, and two experts are now in South America enquiring as to the prospects for the sale of British engineering products in various Latin-American countries. Reports have already been received from all these experts and have been circulated to firms in this country likely to be interested. I may add that six commercial secretaries have recently been appointed posts in Latin-America, and that, with a view to strengthening our consular organisation in those countries, Mr. Wellesley, formerly Controller of Commercial and Consular Affairs at the Foreign Office, was despatched last autumn on a tour of inspection of British Consular offices in South and Central America. Mr. Wellesley has1928W now returned and will shortly present his report.