Hand-Made Goods (Export)

HC Deb 18 November 1948 vol 458 cc55-6W

Mr. Skeffington-Lodge

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he proposes to take to encourage the export of British handicrafts.

Mr. H. Wilson

In agreement with my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the sum of

24. Mr. Prescott

asked the President of the Board of Trade what quantity of coal and of what quality, was exported to Poland from October, 1947, to September, 1948; what quantities of textile materials and manufactures and of what kinds were exported to that country during the same period; and in each case what were the export figures for the same period in 1937–38.

Mr. H. Wilson

Following are the particulars:

£12,500 has been lent, as a charge on the Board of Trade vote, to British Handicrafts Export, a non-profit making company formed on private initiative last summer which will undertake the sale overseas of hand-produced British goods of a high standard. The Board of Trade have also agreed to give financial assistance to the newly formed Crafts Centre of Great Britain, from which British Handicrafts Export hope to obtain information about craftsmen able to make goods suitable for export. My Department will also give all possible help to individual craftsmen, commercial firms and non-profit making export organisations, such as Women's Home Industries Limited, which was set up by the Women's Voluntary Services last year, in obtaining supplies of scarce materials needed for any export work in hand-made goods which they undertake or organise.