§ Mr. Shepherdasked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development whether he will make a statement about the Western Hemisphere Exports Council.
§ Mr. HeathYes. Lord Rootes, who has been Chairman of the Western Hemisphere Exports Council and of its predecessor the Dollar Exports Council since 1st July, 1951, has told me that he wishes to be released from this service on 31st March, 1964. With much regret I have accepted his decision. In doing so I should like to put on record on 51W behalf of the Government and myself, and, I am sure, of my predecessors at the Board of Trade, the deepest appreciaction of the work Lord Rootes has done and the contribution he has made to the promotion of British exports, in particular to the countries of the Western Hemisphere.
This contribution has indeed been a unique and intensely personal one; and with Lord Rootes'departure it has seemed to the Board and to the sponsoring bodies of the W.H.E.C. that it would be timely to consider how the continuing task of export promotion could best be carried out and what organisation would in the new circumstances be most appropriate for this purpose. This review is now proceeding with the full agreement of Lord Rootes.