§ 57. Captain PLUGGEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he 557 proposes to initiate negotiations for a trade agreement with the United States of America now that the Presidential election is finished?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Runciman)As I stated in reply to the question asked by the hon. Member for Wolverhampton East (Mr. M ander) on 17th November, exchanges of a purely informal and exploratory nature have for some time been proceeding with the United States Government with the view to ascertaining whether a basis exists for trade negotiations between the United Kingdom and the United States of America. I do not think that His Majesty's Government can usefully do more than they are already doing in the matter.
§ Captain PLUGGEIs my right hon. Friend aware that during the first three quarters of this year £55,000,000 worth of goods was imported into this country from the United States, as against £15,000,000 worth of goods exported from this country to the United States; and doss he not think it is urgent that the situation should be improved?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI am quite well aware of those figures.
§ Mr. MANDERIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in certain circles in America the impression has been created that the British Government are not at all anxious to enter into serious negotiations on this matter, and can he correct that now?
§ Mr. EMMOTTAre not those very narrow circles?