§ 30. Sir ASSHETON POWNALLasked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department what decision has been arrived at as regards the publication of an annual trade review by our commercial representative at Moscow?
§ Mr. GILLETTNo annual trade report relating to the Soviet Union has been published since 1915, and the decision not to publish has been upheld by successive Governments. His Majesty's Government propose to maintain this policy. I am, however, as explained by my hon. Friend, the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, in his answer to the hon. Member for Newcastle North (Sir N. Grattan-Doyle) on 21st January, awaiting the receipt of a report on the organisation of the administrative machinery of foreign trade in the Soviet Union. This report will in due course be laid as a White Paper.
§ Sir A. POWNALLDoes the hon. Gentleman not think that it would be of great value and interest to commercial men that a report of that sort should be published now, even if it has not been published in the past?
§ Mr. GILLETTThere has been no change in the industrial position, and we see no reason for departing from the view taken previously by the Government and also by Parliament.
§ Sir W. DAVISONWhy did the Government stress so much the making of a new trade agreement with Russia, if we are not going to have any trade statistics?
§ Mr. HAMMERSLEYIf there has been no change in the industrial situation why have the Government altered the trade agreement?
§ Mr. GILLETTI was referring to the method by which trade is carried on in Russia when I said there was no change.
§ 31. Captain P. MACDONALDasked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department what are the terms of the recent notification by the Government of the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics to British firms that they can now open branch offices in Moscow; and what British firms have accepted the offer apart from travel agencies?
§ Mr. GILLETTWith regard to the first part of the hon. and gallant Member's question, I have no information other than the statement by the Chairman of the Soviet Trade Delegation which has appeared in the Press that: "To enable British firms to become familiar with the Russian market, its requirements and possibilities, every facility, aid and encouragement would be given to them to establish representations in the Soviet Union for the purpose of making closer technical connections than they have at present."
With regard to the second part of the question, five British firms other than travel agencies have personal representation in Moscow.
§ Captain MACDONALDHave any of these firms yet reported what conditions of trade are in Russia at the present time?
§ Mr. GILLETTNot that I am aware of.
§ Sir A. POWNALLWould it not be of great value for firms thinking of establishing agencies in Moscow if there was a report from our commercial representative there?
§ Mr. GILLETTWe have not seen that there would be any special advantage.
§ Mr. MUGGERIDGEIs there any likelihood of any of these firms in Moscow being subjected to a police raid and safes being broken open?