HC Deb 24 April 1939 vol 346 cc764-5
17. Sir Joseph Leech

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, in what respects the system by which British trade is cultivated in Scandinavia and Northern Europe fails to obtain the success to which British trade is entitled; and will he issue a White Paper with recommendations, based upon his observations during his recent mission, by which British commercial efforts can be made more effective?

18. Sir Nicholas Grattan-Doyle

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he found that there are openings in Finland for increasing the sale of British productions generally, and for engineering goods in particular; and whether he recommends that Anglo-Finnish trade should be developed by correspondence or by British representatives visiting at intervals or by the establishment of permanent residential British selling agencies in Finland?

Mr. R. S. Hudson (Secretary, Overseas Trade Department)

The purpose of my visit to certain foreign countries was to secure an improvement in our trade relations with those countries, and the results were explained to the House in the answer given by the Prime Minister on 6th April to the right hon. Member for Wakefield (Mr. Greenwood). My discussions were for the most part with Governments, and the purpose of my visit was not to conduct a detailed market investigation, either generally or in regard to individual industries. There is, therefore, no occasion for the issue of a White Paper, but I may say that I am convinced that there are good openings for increased United Kingdom exports in those countries. I hope that the mission of industrialists from Finland now in this country, and the similar mission from Sweden which, it has been agreed, shall visit this country shortly, will result in improved knowledge of the requirements of those markets on the one side, and greater appreciation of United Kingdom capacity to supply on the other. While not minimising the value of other methods, I should like once again to emphasise the importance of personal visits to these markets, not merely by representatives but by responsible executives of British firms.

Mr. Shinwell

Are the negotiations with the representatives of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the Polish Government to be continued in this country; and, if so, can the right hon. Gentleman say when they will be proceeded with?

Mr. Hudson

The negotiations as far as the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics are concerned will be inaugurated in this country, I hope, fairly shortly. With regard to the negotiations with Poland, I was, as the hon. Member knows, successful in clearing up the difficulties, and no further negotiations are in contemplation at the moment.