§ Sir A. POWNALLasked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether any representative of his Department has recently visited Bradford and Huddersfield for the purpose of conferring with manufacturers about measures to recapture the sale of inexpensive grade wool textiles in the South American markets?
§ Mr. GILLETTThe commercial counsellor to His Majesty's Embassy in Argentina paid a visit of two days to Huddersfield in January and of two days to Bradford this month for the purpose of affording firms interested in the Argentine market an opportunity of discussing any questions and difficulties in connection with their trade. Sir William Clare Lees, who visited South America with Lord D'Abernon's Mission, has recently addressed meetings in these two cities. At the request of the Bradford and Huddersfield Chambers of Commerce reports on woollen piece goods of moderate price were called for by my Department at the end of last year from overseas officers in 16 countries, including Argentina.
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Lieut.-Colonel MOOREasked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether any representative of his Department has recently investigated the high price of the packing of textiles sent from this country to the River Plate as compared with packing costs of other European countries, and the handicap of the freight charges on slow British boats as compared with the lower freight charges quoted by non-British boats taking the same time as British boats on the voyage from Continental ports to the River Plate?
§ Mr. GILLETTWith reference to the first part of the question, statements on this subject have been recently brought to my notice, and I am making inquiries to see if they can be substantiated. With reference to the second part of the question, if specific instances are brought to my notice where it is considered that freight rates constitute a handicap to British trade, my Department will be pleased to consider them, in consultation with the Board of Trade.