§ 73. Mr. STOURTONasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will name the foreign Powers with whom trade agreements are at present being negotiated?
§ Dr. BURGINNegotiations are at present proceeding with Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and the Soviet Union.
§ Mr. STOURTONCan the hon. Gentleman say which of these agreements will be ready for signature within a month?
§ Dr. BURGINIt is very difficult when you are negotiating to set yourself to a time. I would prefer to tell the House that no time is lost in concluding any agreement which is thought to be advantageous.
§ Sir PERCY HARRISIs there any prospect of opening up arrangements with any other first-class Powers?
§ Dr. BURGINYes, there are several prospects of opening up arrangements. The original question was as to the countries with which agreements were being negotiated. That is a later stage to opening up negotiations.