HC Deb 15 July 1948 vol 453 cc1395-6
29. Mr. Platts-Mills

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the further talks envisaged in the Anglo-Soviet Agreement of 1947 have yet taken place; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. H. Wilson

On Tuesday last, the 13th July, I had a useful preliminary exchange of views on these matters with the Soviet Ambassador and the Head of the Soviet Trade Delegation in the United Kingdom. We shall now arrange for our experts to discuss these questions in greater detail.

Mr. Platts-Mills

While the President will have realised that the mere resumption of talks has caused deep satisfaction throughout the country, will he bear in mind that that in which people are interested, in addition to the grain, is the possibility of getting some timber to enable our housing programme to go ahead?

Mr. Wilson

Yes, Sir. This matter has been brought quite strongly to the notice of the Soviet authorities as also has the large range of goods which we used to import from the Soviet Union before the war and from countries now embodied in the Soviet Union.

Mr. Stokes

Although I could not hear the answer to the last part of the Question, in view of the fact that the last part asked for a statement, will my right hon. Friend consider incorporating in that statement a paragraph to the effect that if the Russians wish to continue to be regarded as a civilised State they must conform to civilised standards?

Mr. Gallacher

Innuendo.

Mr. Leslie Hale

Will the right hon. Gentleman inform the House whether as yet any proposals have emanated from or been adumbrated in any quarter for the purchase of civil aircraft from the Soviet Union?

Mr. Wilson

No, Sir. I have not been made aware of any proposals to purchase civil aircraft from the Soviet Union.

Mr. Stokes

Can I have an answer to my question?

Mr. Speaker

I thought the hon. Member's question very improper. After all, Questions which are hostile to a Government with which we are in amity are not supposed to be put down.

Mr. Stokes

With great respect to your Ruling, Mr. Speaker, I was speaking on a matter of fact and not of innuendo and referring to the fact that there are 17 million people in concentration camps. I protest against His Majesty's Government having any trade relations with the Soviet unless they conform to civilised standards.

Mr. Platts-Mills

Will the Minister give an answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Ipswich (Mr. Stokes) repudiating his offensive and blackguardly suggestions?

Mr. Speaker

I think we had better get along.