§ 5. Mr. Warbeyasked the President of the Board of Trade when he hopes to re-open negotiations with the Hungarian Government, with a view to the conclusion of a long-term trade agreement.
§ Mr. H. WilsonNo such negotiations are necessary. A three-year agreement about supplies of foodstuffs from Hungary was concluded in June, 1947, and runs to July, 1950.
Mr. Wilson HarrisIn view of what the Minister of State said yesterday about Hungary's violation of her treaty obligations, is the President of the Board of Trade satisfied that this economic agreement will be honoured?
§ Mr. WarbeyWill my right hon. Friend resist any suggestion that political 2254 differences with Hungary should impede the development of trade between Eastern and Western Europe on which the fulfilment of the purpose of the Marshall Plan depends?
§ Mr. WilsonI think I have always made it clear that we do not regard trade agreements as a means of convincing other countries of our views on what they may be doing in other directions. At the same time, it is a fact that there are certain hold-ups about trade talks with Hungary at the present time because of the Hungarian Government's treatment of British commercial interests in Hungary. and until those are satisfactorily cleared up we cannot go on with the expansion of further trade with that country.