§ Mr. Jannerasked the President of the Board of Trade what is the present position regarding finance for export promotion and scientific research in connection with the wool textile industry; and whether he regards the position as satisfactory.
Mr. H. WilsonHitherto, finance for export promotion has been provided from a fund established from a war-time statutory levy imposed under the Defence (Encouragement of Exports) Regulations, but this fund is now exhausted. Finance for scientific research is at present provided by voluntary contributions. It is necessary to put these activities on a more stable financial basis, and I therefore propose shortly to seek Parliamentary approval for a levy or levies to be imposed on the industry, under Section 9 of the Industrial, Organisation and Development Act, 1947, for the purposes of export promotion and scientific research.