HC Deb 11 February 1954 vol 523 cc1349-50
27. Mr. Wyatt

asked the President of the Board of Trade what assistance he will give to British business-men in investigating the possibilities of the increased trade with the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics officially proposed by Mr. Ivan Kabanov, the Soviet Foreign Trade Minister.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

My Department was in close touch with the group of business men who have been visiting Moscow, before they left, and I shall be interested to learn, on their return, what they have to say and to give all possible advice and guidance.

Mr. Wyatt

Will the President bear in mind that it is of the utmost importancethat we should have the fullest publicity about the offer, together with a complete analysis by the Board of Trade, so that we may clearly distinguish between how much of it is intended as mere propaganda and how much as a serious proposal to trade, and so that there will be no doubt in the public mind that we are not turning down any serious offer of trade with Russia or overlooking the possibility of propaganda?

Mr. Thorneycroft

The Government are not turning down or accepting anything. The Board of Trade has given all the help it can to these business men on their visit to Russia, in order that they might do legitimate trade outside the strategic controls.

Mr. Fernyhough

What were the changed circumstances between November and January? In November the Foreign Secretary condemned the business men who then wanted to make a trip to Moscow. In January the President gave his blessing to a similar party which was seeking to make the trip. Can the right hon. Gentleman say what were the changed circumstances which led to a change of attitude on the part of the Government?

Mr. Thorneycroft

My right hon. Friend did not condemn the business men, but the organisation which was arranging the visit.