HC Deb 07 November 1944 vol 404 cc1222-3
2. Mr. Ellis Smith

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can make a statement on the consultations and negotiations that have taken place with representatives of the U.S.S.R. on future trade and the result of discussions between various industries or firms and representatives of U.S.S.R. concerns; what are the prospects of credit facilities; and is it intended to obtain the maximum trade between the British Commonwealth and the U.S.S.R.

Mr. Dalton

Discussions are still proceeding, but I cannot yet make a statement. As I have already informed the House, I am anxious to do all I can to secure an expansion of trade with Russia on a firm basis.

Mr. Smith

Seeing that it is seven months since the U.S.S.R. and United States representatives arrived at an agreement, is it not time that we had a settlement; and is there any truth in the statement which appeared in the "Financial News" that the Foreign Office have raised the debt question, as part of any permanent commercial treaty?

Mr. Dalton

The answer to the second part of the question is that it is news to me, like a lot of other things that appear in the Press. I would advise my hon. Friend not to believe everything that he sees in the Press. I am sure he does not. He is a critical reader of these things. The Government are most anxious to get a commercial agreement with Russia mutually advantageous to ourselves and the Russians.

Mr. Quintin Hogg

Having regard to the right hon. Gentleman's enthusiasm for this project, how does it come that out of applications for £35,000 worth of advertising in Russian trade journals £34,000 have been refused, as compared with £60,000 accepted on behalf of American newspapers?

Mr. Dalton

The hon. Member is puting a question quite extraneous to what is on the paper. My only comment is that, in Russia, advertising in the Press is not quite so useful as in certain other countries. The thing to do in Russia is to meet the commissar concerned.

Mr. Boothby

Are the Government bearing in mind in these discussions, the special interests of the herring trade?

Mr. Dalton

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Austin Hopkinson

Is not this giving of credits to induce foreign countries to buy our goods exactly what children call "playing at shops"?

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