HC Deb 04 November 1946 vol 428 cc1027-8
12. Mr. Gammans

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will give the House any information of the British-Soviet trade pact.

Mr. Marquand

The agreement reached at the beginning of September with the Soviet Trade Delegation provided for the settlement of certain outstanding problems relating to the supply to the U.S.S.R. of civilian goods manufactured in this country under the Civil Supplies Agreement of 1941; for assistance by His Majesty's Government to the Soviet Government in concluding contracts for the purchase of natural rubber; and for the supply by Russia to this country during the remainder of the 1946 shipping season of 25,000 standards of softwood at a price of £34 per standard. It was part of the understanding reached with the Soviet Trade Delegation that the settlement of the difficulties outstanding under the 1941 Agreement would open the way to full discussions about the expansion of trade between Russia and this country. Talks on this wider subject have already begun.

Mr. Gammans

Will the hon. Gentleman say what is standing in the way of the conclusion of a comprehensive trade agreement between this country and Russia, and not merely one relating to the small range of articles to which he has referred?

Mr. Marquand

We are now actively engaged in discussions with the Soviet Government on the possibility of a comprehensive agreement.

Mr. Edelman

In view of the shortage of timber, would my hon. Friend make as much shipping as possible available, in order that we may receive this timber before the Baltic ports are closed by ice?

Mr. Marquand

Yes, Sir. We have undertaken, and indeed, it was a part of the negotiations which I remember very well, to remove as much of this timber as possible before the winter.