Sir C. G. Gibsonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the co-ordinating committee, of which Lord Stamp has been appointed chairman will consider what steps should be taken either during or after the war to develop and promote our overseas trade with the Dominions and Empire countries as well as with neutral countries; if the committee will prepare a report on these questions; and whether they will be prepared to receive representations on the questions involved which are submitted by representative trade and industrial organisations?
§ Captain CrookshankYes, Sir; questions of this character fall within the competence of the Committees on Economic Policy to which my right hon. Friend the1432W Prime Minister referred in his reply to the question by the hon. Member for Leeds Central on the 9th October.
With regard to the second part of the question, it is not the intention that these committees shall make reports. Their work is of a continuing character, and any necessary action is taken by the particular Department concerned.
As regards the last part of the question, the Board of Trade, as the Department primarily concerned with export trade, is represented on the committees, and my right hon. Friend would suggest that representations by trade and industrial organisations on the questions to which my hon. Friend refers should be addressed to that Department.