HC Deb 15 July 1946 vol 425 cc851-3
39. Mr. Boothby

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in the forthcoming trade negotiations with the U.S.S.R., he will make the necessary arrangements for an annual export of cured herring from this country to the U.S.S.R and the territories under her control

43. Mr. Gammans

asked the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made with a new trade agreement with the U.S.S.R.

72. Mr. Edelman

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make a statement on the progress of Anglo-Soviet trade conversations.

77. Mr. Edelman

asked the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made towards a trade agreement with the U.S.S.R.; and whether he is in a position to make a statement on the subject.

S. Cripps

I am in touch with the new head of the Soviet Trade Delegation, who has recently arrived in this country, but I am not yet in a position to make a statement.

Mr. Gammans

would the Minister say whether there has been any case where orders were given by the Soviet Government for British goods of which they subsequently refused to take delivery?

S. Cripps

I think that if the hon. Member will put that question on the Paper, I will answer it.

Mr. Boothby

May I ask the President if, when any future negotiations take place, the interests of the herring industry will be borne continuously in mind?

Mr. Edelman

Would the Minister, pending an agreement with the Russians, invite them, as a gesture of goodwill, to ship the undelivered balance of the 1935 contracts, while we reciprocally do the same?

Sir S. Cripps

I shall explore all methods.

61. Squadron-Leader Kinghorn

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will see that, in any impending trade negotiations with the U.S.S.R., steps will be taken to develop once again the old export trade of herring to that country from East Anglian ports.

The Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries (Mr. Thomas Williams)

I will bring this matter to the notice of my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade who no doubt will bear in mind the desirability of reviving these exports to the fullest possible extent in any trade negotiations undertaken with the U.S.S.R.

Mr. Boothby

Has the right hon. Gentleman noticed that the President of the Board of Trade is rather lukewarm about this business, and will he give an undertaking to keep him up to the mark?

Mr. Williams

I felt that my right hon. Friend was rather enthusiastic.

Mr. Douglas Marshall

Will the Minister take pilchards into consideration when such negotiations take place?