Former MP for Bristol North East
asked the Prime Minister what steps he takes to co-ordinate the activities of the Treasury and the Board of Trade in the promotion of exports by small companies.
Would the First Secretary recognise that while the E.C.G.D. at the Board of Trade provides valuable assistance to small companies which are trying to export, one of the great hazards which such companies face is the question of credit terms, a matter which comes under the Treasury? Is he aware that several export orders have been lost because of the length of credit afforded by the Treasury?
asked the President of the Board of Trade what action he intends to take to assist the British film industry.
Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some very fine films have been produced recently by the independent producers? Is he satisfied that the arrangements are working to the benefit of independent producers as a whole?
asked the President of the Board of Trade how many groups of cases, covering how many individual cases, seeking exemption from the ban on Resale Price Maintenance have been brought by the Registrar of Restrictive Practices before the court; and how many groups of cases, covering how many individual cases, still await consideration by the court.
Could the Minister of State give any indication of how long he expects this process to take?
It will be useful possibly to go back to the real nature of close companies. The Chief Secretary will be aware that the vast majority of them are small and are mostly family companies employing 20 to 30 people. These companies suffer a disadvantage compared with the larger ones, and certainly with public companies, in that the source of funds available to them, other than the initial capital...
Is the Secretary of State aware that this is probably the first sensible decision he has made?
