§ Mr. B. SMITHasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that Great Britain, which before the War commanded 20 per cent. of the entire import and export trade with Mexico, now holds only seven per cent.; and whether, in view of the fact that all other exporting countries have increased their trade with Mexico, in particular the United States, whose trade has increased by over 150 per cent., the Overseas Trade Department are taking any steps to encourage British firms in developing trade with Mexico?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI am aware that the United States, with the advantage of geographical propinquity, has increased its share of Mexican trade 27W from 67 per cent, in 1913 to 74 per cent. in 1925, while Great Britain's proportion has decreased in the same period from 11 per cent. to seven per cent. The percentages held by France and Germany respectively have also diminished to much the same extent. A Commercial Secretary has been appointed to Mexico by the Department of Overseas Trade, and a number of reports received from him have been brought to the notice of British traders.