§ Mr. H. GIBSONasked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he can make a statement as to the composition, terms of reference, and itinerary of the proposed Economic Mission to the Far East?
§ Mr. GILLETTThe composition of the Economic Mission to the Far East is as follows:
517WSir Ernest Thompson (Chairman), Chairman of the Executive, Joint Committee of Cotton Trade Organisations.
Sir Thomas Allen, Director, Co-operative Wholesale Society.
Mr. James Bell, Secretary of United Textile Factory Workers' Association.
Mr. William A. Crowther, Director of firm of woollen manufacturers.
Lieut.-Colonel Reginald Morcom, late Chairman of Council of British Electrical and Allied Manufacturers' Association.
Mr. Louis Beale, Special Commissioner to Overseas Trade Development Council.
Attached to the Main Mission there will be a special Cotton Sub-Mission, of which Sir Ernest Thompson will also be Chairman and Mr. James Bell a member.
Other members of the Cotton Sub-Mission are:
Mr. F. W. Birchenough, President of the Operative Spinners' Amalgamation.
Mr. E. Duxbury, Vice-President of the United Textile Factory Workers' Association.
Mr. J. L. Edmondson, Secretary of the Federation of Calico Printers.
Mr. George Green, Chairman, Padiham Manufacturers' Association.
Mr. Arthur Reiss, Managing Director of firm of cotton merchants.
Mr. Joseph Wild, President of the Wigan and District Cotton Employers' Association.
The terms of reference to the Main Mission are: To inquire into the present condition of British trade with China and Japan and to report what action should be taken to develop and increase that trade.
The terms of reference to the Sub-Mission are: To assist the Economic Mission to the Far East in their inquiries so far as these relate to cotton goods and to report what action should be taken to develop and increase British trade in these goods.
It is proposed that the Main and Sub-Mission should first visit Japan and will then proceed to China.