12 SEPTEMBER 1957, Page 8

FOR ALL THE SPEECHES they make to warn us about

the need to prepare for the European Common Market, are the authorities trying hard enough to put British exports in a position to meet the challenge? A few months ago the organ- isers of the Ghent Fair offered free exhibition space to the Board of Trade; and the Board ex- pressed its interest and pleasure. Now, the Board has decided to decline the invitation, on the extra- ordinary excuse of shortage of staff. I imagine that this may also deter other British exhibitors, at least one of whom—the Council of Industrial Pesign—had already said it would take part only if a lead were given by the Board of Trade. This seems to me to be a shortsighted decision, particu- larly as the Belgians are anxious to stimulate trade with Britain—they impose no restrictions on