§ 7. Sir P. Harrisasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he proposes at an early date to open negotiations with the Oslo Convention States; and whether he is aware that there is a widespread feeling that the time is opportune for the countries which desire greater freedom in the exchange of their goods to get together in an endeavour to promote it?
§ Mr. RuncimanI am not clear as to what kind of negotiations the hon. Member has in mind. The Oslo Convention does not in itself provide for greater freedom in the exchange of goods between the signatories. The attitude of His Majesty's Government towards the question of the freer exchange of goods in international trade has already been stated by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the reply which he gave on 12th November last to questions asked by the hon. Members for East Birkenhead (Mr. White) and Pontypool (Mr. Jenkins).
§ Sir P. HarrisIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Government of the Netherlands on 5th February sent an invitation to the Scandinavian States, Finland and Belgium to meet at the Hague for the purpose of bringing about closer economic co-operation between those countries, and does not the right hon. Gentleman desire that this country should have the advantage of close economic co-operation with those States which have so much in common with us?
§ Mr. RuncimanIf my hon. Friend desires further information as to what has been proposed at this conference, I must have notice.
§ Sir P. HarrisI was not asking for that. I was asking whether the right hon. Gentleman was aware that such a conference had been summoned at the Hague, and whether he will endeavour to arrange that this country should be represented.
§ Mr. RuncimanIf my hon. Friend is asking about representation at the conference, I should say that that is unnecessary at the present moment.
§ Mr. Ellis SmithIs there any truth in the statement which has appeared in a number of British newspapers that a prospective loan is being discussed?