§ 14. Mr. Piratinasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will now make a statement on the resumption of trade negotiations with the U.S.S.R.
§ Mr. H. WilsonI have nothing to add to the reply given on 28th October to the hon. Member for Cheltenham (Mr. Lipson).
§ Mr. PiratinCould the Minister give this House some information with regard to the report that it is his intention to leave for Moscow at the end of this month, and can he say if the financial difficulty, which was the main point mentioned in the statement in August, has now been overcome?
§ Mr. WilsonNo, Sir. I am not responsible for any statements which may appear in the Press on this matter. As regards the financial difficulty, I am sure the hon. Member will realise that this is a very difficult subject and the less we say before negotiations are resumed the better.
§ Mr. PiratinThe Minister has just said "before negotiations are resumed." Are we to understand that negotiations are to be resumed, and, if the right hon. Gentleman knows that much, could he say when they will be resumed?
§ Mr. WilsonIt takes two parties to resume negotiations. We have repeatedly 526 stated our own willingness to resume negotiations and the terms on which we would be willing to do so, and we are still waiting for an answer.