§ Mr. W. GRAHAMasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether, in view of the Geddes Report, he will state the approximate annual number of inquiries now received from the larger business firms and from the smaller; and whether, in view of the existing economic depression, there is any available indication that British commercial houses are able to maintain even their hitherto existing system of overseas representatives?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEThe total number of recorded inquiries and communications involving action received by the Department of Overseas Trade during the year 1921 was about 202,000. In addition there were large numbers of telephone inquiries and personal calls of which no record is kept. It is not practicable to say what number came from larger business firms and what from smaller. The Department receives very large numbers of inquiries from both classes. As regards the last part of the question, I am afraid it is the fact that some firms are finding it difficult to maintain their full representation overseas.
§ Mr. W. GRAHAMasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether the Geddes Committee, in its Report setting forth the specimens of the work done by his Department, dealt with the work of one month only; how many specimens were quoted out of the number supplied; whether any of the transactions of chief magnitude were reproduced; and whether the Department is satisfied with this presentation of its activities?
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§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEThe list of cases from which extracts are quoted in the Report of the Committee on National Expenditure was not drawn up specially for the Committee but was a record of appreciations received from business firms in the month of November. The cases quoted by the Committee were among the less important in the list, and constituted about one-fifth of the total number of cases. I do not think that the quotation of a few cases resulting in small orders conveys an accurate impression of the nature of the work of the Department. On the other hand, the value of such cases, when taken in the aggregate, is not negligible, and the successful handling of a small order often leads to repeat orders of greater importance and to the creation of a new channel of trade.
§ Mr. LYLEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Association of Chambers of Commerce has expressed its views to him on the proposed alteration of the Department of Overseas Trade; what in that case these views are; and whether it wishes to be heard, and will be heard before a final settlement?
§ Mr. BALDWINI have received a letter from the Association of British Chambers of Commerce stating that, in their opinion, the Department of Overseas Trade has rendered very great services and promises to be more useful still to the industry and commerce of this country, and expressing the hope that, notwithstanding the economies which they know to be necessary, the Department will on no account be eliminated. As regards the last part of the question, I understand that a deputation has recently waited on the Chancellor of the Exchequer and laid its views on this subject before him.