§ 31. Mr. Bellengerasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the British Embassy staff at Washington is at present solely responsible for negotiations with the United States regarding a trade agreement or whether any negotiations are proceeding in London; and whether in due course a trade mission will be sent to the United States?
Mr. StanleyNo negotiations are at present in progress, although exploratory discussions are taking place through His Majesty's Embassy in Washington, with the object of discovering whether a basis for negotiations exists. The answer to the last part of the question must depend on the result of these discussions.
§ Mr. BellengerIn view of that reply, can the right hon. Gentleman tell us whether any progress is being made in these negotiations?