I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether any British manufacturers, other than those who are members of the Consultative Committee of the Board of Trade, have at any time made any representations to him that British consular or commercial agents should be appointed to the self-governing Colonies?

Yes, Sir. Evidence in favour of such appointments was given on behalf of various Chambers of Commerce before the Departmental Committee on Commercial Intelligence of 1897–8. In addition we have recently received representations from certain British Chambers of Commerce and a Resolution from the last Congress of Chambers of Commerce of the Empire.

Has the right hon. Gentleman received any definite information from any particular manufacturer that these Consular Reports are of use to him in his business?

We have received representations in the usual way from Chambers of Commerce, which I think fairly represent the trade interest of the country.