§ 49. Mr. Jannerasked the President of the Board of Trade if he can now make a statement on the progress of the trade talks with Russia.
§ 58. Mr. Austinasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement regarding the Anglo-Soviet trade agreement negotiations and list the difficulties that have prevented its completion.
§ Mr. H. WilsonThe talks which began last May are still continuing and it would not be advisable to indicate the stage now reached in the negotiations.
§ Mr. Martin LindsayDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think that on general grounds these talks should be suspended until such time as the Berlin blockade has been lifted?
§ 52. Mr. Piratinasked the President of the Board of Trade how many tons of steel rails with the necessary fishplates, nut and bolts, have been delivered to the U.S.S.R., under the trade agreement of December, 1947; and when the complete order of 35,000 tons is likely to be delivered.
§ Mr. H. WilsonThe total contracted for under Article II of the Agreement was 25,000 tons, not 35,000 tons. Of this quantity, I am informed that 22,480 tons of rails, together with appropriate accessories, have been delivered or are awaiting delivery. The remainder is due to be delivered very shortly.
§ 53. Mr. Piratinasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Soviet Government may, within the terms of the Anglo-Soviet Trade Agreement of December, 1947, purchase raw materials such as rubber, within the sterling area.
§ Mr. H. WilsonThe Soviet Union is free to purchase for sterling any raw material in the sterling area whose export is not subject to control by the Government or Governments concerned.
§ Colonel Gomme-DuncanDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think it time that something was done to stop the export of potential war material to this aggressive State?