§ 85. Mr. Marplesasked the President of the Board of Trade what grants he expects to make during the current year to the British Export Trade Research Organisation and to British Handicrafts Export respectively.
§ Mr. BottomleyIn accordance with the provision included in the Board of Trade Estimates for the year ending 31st March, 1949, we are making grants to the British Export Trade Research Organisation up to a maximum of £35,000 and not exceeding one-half of the deficiency between the Organisation's expenditure' in the year and its revenue from commissions executed, subject to an equivalent contribution from industry. A payment of £20,000 has already been made to the Organisation and so far as can be judged at present it is expected to qualify for the full grant of £35,000.
As regards British Handcrafts Export, we have made a loan of £12,500, for which a Supplementary Estimate was presented to the House on 30th June last. Of this sum, £2,500 has been repaid with interest as was anticipated in that Estimate. No other grant is contemplated.