'File 10/8 Overseas trade enquiries' [‎74r] (149/495)

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managers of their overseas branches to place themselves in touch with overseas
officers with a view to assisting in making the Fair widely known. It is
suggested that British tourist agencies, British and foreign hotels, clubs, etc.,
might be asked to co-operate.
14. It is proposed to supply 10,000 advance copies of the catalogue of the
London section of the Fair with a printed inset A small map or other image enclosed within the margin of a larger map, map sheet, or larger image; or papers placed inside a book or archival volume. of Birmingham exhibitors. It is
intended to issue this catalogue at the beginning of the New Year to those officers
whom supplies can reach in time for distribution before buyers leave for England,
i.e., countries within three weeks' journey of the United Kingdom. Any such
officers who have not previously notified the Department that they could make
use of the advance catalogue are requested to do so without delay. It is suggested
that copies of the advance catalogue accompanied by a covering letter should be
sent to those buyers who are known to have visited the last Fair, as well as to
other important firms.
The advance catalogues may, however, be useful in far distant countries for
publicity and reference purposes, even if received too late to be of use to intending
visitors, and officers who desire to have copies should notify the Department.
VII.— Direct apyeal to buyers,
15. The value of the special propaganda undertaken by overseas officers in
inducing buyers to visit the Fair is yielding increasingly satisfactory results year
by year, and it is desired that these special efforts may be renewed and varied.
In most countries the departmental stores are large buyers of products at the
Fair : special attention should, therefore, be directed to them. At the same
time officers will be aware of other important buyers of the particular classes of
goods included in the London and Birmingham trade schedules. In this con
nection the increasing importance of the Engineering Section at Birmingham and
of the Textile Section in London should be borne in mind. It is suggested that
those firms who cannot arrange to send buyers to England for the Fair might be
persuaded to instruct agents in this country to visit the Fair on their behalf.
16. The campaign of direct appeal to buyers from London will be continued
as usual, and will again take the form this year of three special letters, each in
the language of the recipient, which will issue to those buyers whose names
appear on the British Industries Fair Index. The first letter will be signed by
the Comptroller-General of the Department of Overseas Trade, and subsequent
letters probably by the Parliamentary Secretary of the Department and the
President of the Board of Trade. The third letter will contain general informa
tion regarding the Fair and a card of invitation.
VIII.— Grant of gratis visas.
17. Arrangements have again been made in cases where buyers require
visas for overseas officers to be authorised to grant gratis visas on passports of
k ' bona fide " buyers visiting the Fair. The necessary instructions to Consular
Officers and Passport Control Officers will be issued in due course.