Exports (Quality)

Oral Answers to Questions — Trade and Commerce – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 29 July 1952.

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Photo of Mr Marcus Lipton Mr Marcus Lipton , Lambeth Brixton 12:00, 29 July 1952

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of growing complaints in overseas markets about British manufactures, he will set up an export standards bureau to supervise and improve the quality of British exports.

Photo of Mr Marcus Lipton Mr Marcus Lipton , Lambeth Brixton

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in a number of Commonwealth legislatures recently the quality of British manufactured exports has been very severely criticised? Are not British exports getting a bad name because certain manufacturers are exporting cheap and shoddy goods?

Photo of Mr Peter Thorneycroft Mr Peter Thorneycroft , Monmouth

We produce better goods than anybody else in the world. A great deal of the criticism comes from our competitors in other countries.

Photo of Mr Marcus Lipton Mr Marcus Lipton , Lambeth Brixton

This was said in Commonwealth legislatures.

Photo of Mr William Shepherd Mr William Shepherd , Cheadle

Do not statements such as those which have just been made, without any knowledge, do a tremendous amount of damage to the prestige of this country?