§ Mr. Attlee(by Private Notice) asked the Prime Minister whether he is now in a position to make a further statement about the progress of the discussions to find a basis of negotiation for a trade agreement with the United States Government?
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir. I am very happy to be able to inform the House that the informal and exploratory discussions with a view to reaching an agreed basis for the negotiation of an Anglo-United States trade agreement have now reached a point at which the Governments of the United Kingdom and the United States feel able to announce that negotiations for such an agreement are contemplated. As my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade indicated to the House in the Debate on the Address, this announcement marks a definite and well-recognised step in the United States procedure of negotiation. I feel sure that the House will warmly welcome this further step towards an agreement between the two Governments.