HC Deb 13 April 1954 vol 526 c948
21. Sir I. Fraser

asked the President of the Board of Trade what progress he can now report in connection with the international discussions on the extension of East-West trade.

The Minister of State, Board of Trade (Mr. Heathcoat Amory)

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Aston (Mr. Wyatt) on 8th April.

Sir I. Fraser

Was that answer very satisfactory?

Mr. Amory

If my hon. Friend has asked me for my personal opinion, I would say, extremely so.

Mr. Bottomley

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that there is real danger of the machine tool industry losing orders to competitors because of the failure of the Government to take action?

Mr. Amory

I think the right hon. Gentleman will agree that no time has been lost so far.