§ Sir A. YEOasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether commercial representatives of foreign countries on their arrival in England are accustomed to place themselves in touch with his Department for the purpose of facilitating business; and, if not, whether this aspect of the Department's work can be developed?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEYes, Sir. Commercial representatives of foreign countries and foreign firms very frequently place themselves in touch with my Department on their arrival in England for the purpose of facilitating the business which is the object of their visit to this country.
§ Mr. FORRESTasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if he will state the names of his Advisory Committee and inform the House of their views on the activities of the Department on its present lines?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEThe Advisory Committee reviewed the organisation and work of the Department last May, and their considered opinion is set out in a Resolution dated 1st June, 1921, and published (together with the names of the Committee) on pages 46 and 47 of Command Paper 1461, of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy. The Advisory Committee have recently had under consideration the Report of the Committee on National Expenditure. On the 15th February they passed the following resolution, which they requested me to 2143W forward to the Chancellor of the Exchequer:
That this Advisory Committee views with apprehension the proposals of the Geddes Committee which have apparently been put forward without full knowledge of the important assistance which the Department of Overseas Trade is affording to the industry of the country, and requests that a deputation be received by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in order to explain the serious effect on industry which would result from the adoption of the proposals.