§ 15. Mr. LIDDALLasked the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made with the negotiations for effecting the new trading agreement with the Soviet Government; and whether the House may anticipate an announcement at an early date?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANNegotiations have only just begun. I cannot say when I shall be in a position to make a statement on the matter.
§ Mr. LIDDALLIn view of the fact that the House will rise on Thursday, will the right hon. Gentleman undertake to inform the engineering firms of this 892 country, and especially the engineering firms of Lincoln, if an agreement is reached during the Recess?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI cannot promise that an Agreement will be reached during the Recess, and, if I could, my hon. Friend's question is a hypothetical one to which I cannot give an answer.
§ Mr. MAXTONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is very considerable anxiety, particularly among engineering employers, in regard to this matter?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANOh, yes; not only among engineering employers, but among other people too.
§ Sir ARTHUR MICHAEL SAMUELIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that very considerable anxiety is being felt by those who lost money in the Lena Goldfields?