5. Mrs. Manningasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will now state what matters are holding up the ratification of our long-term trade agreement with Poland; and what steps he proposes to resolve these differences.
§ Mr. H. WilsonI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Plaistow (Mr. Elwyn Jones) on Tuesday last.
Mrs. ManningAre these negotiations no nearer completion than they were when the previous reply was given? Is it not a fact that the Polish Government have agreed on the principle of the repayment to investors in this country?
§ Mr. WilsonThey have not agreed on the rate of repayment, which is obviously one of the very important questions at stake.
Mrs. ManningIs not my right hon. Friend aware that some of these firms are completely devastated, while other very big firms, like Unilever, surely cannot be put out by not receiving payment by return? Is it not much more important that the housewives of this country should have bacon on their breakfast tables than that Unilever should be paid this money?
§ Mr. WilsonIt is not merely a question of compensation payment for properties nationalised but it also involves payment of pre-war Governmental debts and the important principle, which my hon. Friend pointed out; is not the principle which is virtually settled, but the rate at which payments begin, because of their effect on the balance of payments between the two countries.