§ Mr. BOLANDasked the President of the Board of Trade whether any further steps have been taken to proceed with the appointment of twelve extra Trade Commissioners; and, if so, whether those appointed will be given facilities to acquaint themselves with the range and possibilities of the Irish export trade before proceeding to their respective destinations abroad?
Mr. ROBERTSAs regards the first part of the question, steps are now being taken for the purpose. As regards the second part, it is proposed that the new officers when appointed, before proceeding to their posts, should spend some time in the Department of Commercial Intelligence of the Board of Trade, and should have opportunities of studying the requirements and possibilities of the trade of the United Kingdom. I will take care that such study includes the needs and opportunities of development of Irish export trade.