§ 82 and 83. Dame Irene Wardasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) why letters on urgent matters affecting exports trade sent to him by a firm in the constituency of Tynemouth and asking for an interview, details of which have been sent to him, have remained without action since 23rd June;
(2) what reply has been received from the General Federal Government to the representations made by his Department regarding the German regulations relating to the slaughtering of meat contained in a product produced for export in the constituency of Tynemouth.
§ Mr. RedheadThe firm in question wrote to my right hon. Friend on 9th June. On the same day following a visit from a director of the firm a Note was sent by the British Embassy in Bonn co the German authorities, explaining that the firm's exports were being hindered by the application of the German Meat Inspection Law of 1940 and asking that the law be amended. The firm was informed of this action on 15th June and visited by one of my Export Officers on 21st June. It also received advice and help from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. No useful purpose would have been served by an interview in London and the firm was accordingly told on 23rd June, in reply to its letter to my right hon. Friend, that everything possible was being done to help. No reply 249W has yet been received from the German authorities to the British Note, but we shall continue to press the case of this enterprising firm in the hope of securing a change in the Law for the benefit of our exports.