7. Colonel Sandeman Allenasked the President of the Board of Trade when the Anglo-Soviet trade agreement is due for revision?
Mr. StanleyThe Temporary Commercial Agreement of 1934 between the 1966 United Kingdom and the Soviet Union continues in force subject to termination after six months' notice by either party. No such notice has been given.
Colonel Sandeman AllenWill my right hon. Friend consider giving notice in order to revise the shipping arrangements between this country and Soviet Russia whereby our shipping shall carry more than it does at the present time?
Mr. StanleyI referred to this matter in the Debate on my Estimates last month, and expressed my dissatisfaction with the present course of these arrangements. I am not prepared at the moment to add anything to that.
§ Major-General Sir Alfred KnoxIs not this agreement a disgrace to British negotiators in giving up all British interests?
§ Mr. ManderWhy not terminate all treaties?
Mr. StanleyI would not go so far as the hon. Gentleman, but his Leader, the right hon. Member for Caithness and Sutherland (Sir A. Sinclair) urged me to do so in this particular case.