§ Mr. FIELDasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has received a resolution adopted at the annual meeting of the Association of Trades Protection Societies held recently in London, protesting against the Department of Overseas Trade and Status Inquiries, asking the withdrawal of a service equally unnecessary and undesirable; and what action will be taken?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDMy attention has been drawn to the resolution in question. The collection of information as to the standing of firms in certain foreign countries has been undertaken by the Department of Overseas Trade, after consultation with the Association of Chambers of Commerce and the Federation of British Industries, and I understand has proved of value to the commercial community. In these circumstances no action in the matter would appear to be necessary.