§ Mr. L. Smithasked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he will investigate the extent to which British export business has been neglected during recent months owing to the concentration of certain firms upon rearmament, with a view to taking remedial action at the earliest possible opportunity?
§ Mr. R. S. HudsonI cannot agree that there has been any general neglect of 1429W export markets, and I would point out that the declared value of United Kingdom exports (home produce and manufactures) in the first nine months of 1937 was £386 millions, a higher figure than any in the same period for the last six years. His Majesty's Government have repeatedly urged on manufacturers the necessity for retaining, and, if possible, expanding their connections in overseas markets, and I do not consider that a general investigation of this character would serve any useful purpose.