34. Miss WARDasked the President of the Board of Trade whether any trade agreements are in the process of negotiation?
§ Lieut.-Colonel J. COLVILLE (Secretary, Overseas Trade Department)Negotiations for the conclusion of Trade Agreements are proceeding with Poland, Uruguay and Turkey; discussions for an agreement about protective duties are taking place with the Government of India: and the possibilities of an arrangement of limited scope with Italy are being explored. A convention covering a number of matters normally dealt with in commercial treaties is being discussed with France.
Miss WARDAre the Government going to safeguard the position of British shipping, as they did in the case of the Russian agreement?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEAll interests which can properly be brought into the agreement will be brought in.
§ Mr. PALINGDoes this include the question of Polish coal?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEIt has been explained that discussions have been proceeding between the British and Polish coal industries recently, apart from the general discussion for a commercial agreement.
§ Mr. MORGAN JONESHave those negotiations been brought to an end?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEI am not in a position to make a statement as to that.