HC Deb 22 January 1948 vol 446 cc355-6
16. Sir W. Smithers

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement of progress in the trade arrangements with Russia; and give details and times of how payment and delivery is to take place in each country; and what goods in either direction have been delivered to date.

Mr. H. Wilson

Since the signature of the Anglo-Soviet Agreement on 27th December I have had talks with the Federation of British Industries and the Trades Union Congress who will be closely concerned in the deliveries of capital equipment to Russia, and I am glad to say that I have received assurances that they will co-operate fully in implementing the Agreement. Arrangements have been made for close consultation between all parties concerned, including the Soviet Trade Delegation who are already in touch with individual firms, and I hope that we shall shortly have the pleasure of welcoming members of a Soviet Purchasing Mission to this country. As to the second part of the Question, payment will be made in sterling for shipment both ways. Prospective delivery dates foreshadowed for certain specified items of equipment are indicated in the Agreement, but the terms of individual contracts are matters for the firms themselves. Deliveries from Russia will be effected in accordance with the contracts already concluded. The answer to the last part of the Question is that no deliveries have yet taken place.

Sir W. Smithers

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that adequate arrangements have been made for prompt payment?

Mr. Wilson

Oh, yes, and as the hon. Gentleman will have noticed, the Agreement provides for substantial shipments of grain immediately from the Soviet Union before our first deliveries really begin to take effect. We have given the Soviet authorities every assurance that there will be prompt payment for the grain.

Captain John Crowder

Is any of this grain being conveyed in British ships?

Mr. Wilson

Yes, practically all of it. It was not possible for us to arrange for the ships to be at the Black Sea ports as soon as the grain was there. We have been negotiating for the chartering of one or two Soviet ships, but from the beginning of next month, British ships will be arriving, and practically the whole of the grain will be carried in British ships.