HC Deb 08 March 1949 vol 462 cc107-8W
Mr. Cobb

asked the President of the Board of Trade what machinery now exists for keeping all firms affected by trade negotiations with other countries informed of the results and of what action they should take, as a consequence, in the national interest.

Mr. H. Wilson

As much information as may be made available about the results of trade negotiations is given to industry as soon as possible after the conclusion of a negotiation, mainly through the Production Departments. Where guidance to industries about action is required this will be given by either the Production Department concerned or the Commercial Relations and Exports Department of the Board of Trade, and I would refer my hon. Friend to an article published in the Board of Trade Journal on 10th January, 1949 (page 81) which indicates the division of functions between Departments on matters of this sort.

As His Majesty's Government is not always at liberty to publish indications by other Governments concerned in trade negotiations of the general pattern of their import programmes from the United Kingdom, where these have been drawn up in negotiations, any information which can be given to industry about the arrangements affecting a particular product is generally communicated confidentially by the Production Departments to the trade association and/or export group concerned for any necessary action with regard to their members. Individual firms or manufacturers who are members of a trade association or export group will, therefore, probably find it most convenient to keep in touch with their association or group. Individual firms or manufacturers who are not members of an association or group, and who would like information as to whether detailed arrangements which may be of concern to them have been made in trade negotiations, should as a rule address their inquiries to their Production Department. Press notices are issued at the conclusion of trade negotiations and a notice is also published in the Board of Trade Journal.

Mr. Cobb

asked the President of the Board of Trade by what means the Production Departments keep in touch with firms who are not adequately represented by their trade association or who are not members of any association.

Mr. H. Wilson

The principal means by which Production Departments keep in touch with firms who are not adequately represented by their trade association or who are not members of any association, are by official Press notices, personal visits, correspondence, and in certain cases, by inviting trade associations to pass information to non-members. The particular method adopted in any case will depend on the industry and the special circumstances. It is of course always open to any firm to approach the Production Departments on any matter within their competence.