§ 57. Mr. Platts-Millsasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that the effect of the obligation resting upon the Administrator of the European Recovery Programme to refuse delivery to countries participating in the Marshall Plan of commodities which go into production for re-delivery to a non-participating country has been under discussion with the U.S. authorities for over seven months, and that the delay in reaching clarification is hindering the development of British trade with the countries of Eastern Europe, he will set a time-limit for the settlement of this problem.
§ Mr. BottomleyNo, Sir.
§ Mr. Platts-MillsDoes not my hon. Friend think that this seven months' refusal of the American authorities to clarify the question in issue, that is, whether we can trade with Eastern Europe and in what goods, does not now amount to an impudent obstruction of our legitimate trade?
§ Mr. BottomleyNo, Sir, the subject is technical and complicated, and both the United States Government and ourselves are pushing ahead.