HC Deb 02 December 1948 vol 458 cc2149-50
9. Mr. Platts-Mills

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that in the absence of a bilateral trading agreement the Sears-Roebuck Company of the United States is negotiating with the Joint Import-Export Agency of the Anglo-U.S. bizone of Germany for the import into Western Germany of several millions of dollars-worth of footwear; that a British delegation proposing to visit Germany to forward similar trade was advised by his Department to cancel the trip on the ground that no bilateral trading agreement had been concluded with Britain; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. H. Wilson

Yes, Sir; but, so far as I am aware, the proposed import has not yet been approved. As regards the proposed sale of boots and shoes from this country, I have nothing to add to the answer which I gave on 9th November except that the Joint Export-Import Agency is not obliged to refuse imports simply because they are not provided for in bilateral trade agreements.

Mr. Platts-Mills

Will the President of the Board of Trade explain why it was that the British trade delegation, who were intending to sell apparel, and were invited by his Department to go to Germany to do so, were then told that they could not go and that there was no point in their going because there was no agreement with the Joint Import-Export Agency? Why in these circumstances can our American competitors go ahead with a project for millions of dollars' worth of sales to the same zone, that is the joint zone, when they likewise have no agreement with the Joint Import-Export Agency in the bizone?

Mr. Wilson

I think that the hon. Member has been misinformed as to the reason of the inability of the clothing proposal to go forward. Certainly it has nothing to do with the question of a bilateral trading agreement.

Mr. Platts-Mills

But with respect, the junior Minister gave that very answer in this House not two weeks ago. He said that the reason was that we had no agreement with the Joint Agency. As the right hon. Gentleman knows perfectly well that that is the case, is he not trying to shield the fact that some other Member of the Government has put us into the position vis-à-vis America in Germany that they can trade and scoop the market, and we are not allowed in?

Mr. Wilson

The hon. Member is once again drawing vividly on his imagination in respect of what is going on in Germany.

Mr. Platts-Mills rose

——

Hon. Members

Order.

Mr. Wilson

The difficulties about the clothing sales earlier on were related, of course, to currency difficulties. Recent changes in the methods of payment for German goods have been introduced since the proposal for the clothing mission, and I can certainly inform the hon. Member that there is no discrimination between any of the supplying countries in this respect.