§ 29. Mr. George Craddockasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if during the course of the Geneva Conference opportunity will be taken to discuss a modification of existing trade restrictions, in view of the cessation of hostilities in the Korean war, with a view to 17 promoting a greater volume of trade between Great Britain and China.
§ Mr. Dodds-ParkerNo, Sir. These restrictions were imposed in accordance with a Resolution of the United Nations and their modification is, therefore, a matter for the United Nations, and not for Geneva. But, as my hon. Friend said on 22nd March, we hope that the outcome of the Geneva Conference may yet open the way for a reconsideration of the strategic embargo on trade with China.
§ Mr. CraddockDoes not the Minister agree that the unfortunate trend in international relations might be arrested if we took advantage of the Geneva Conference to get talks going? Surely this is something to which the Minister and his Department ought to give full weight?
§ Mr. Dodds-ParkerI think the House will agree that the Geneva Conference has a full time-table at present in settling the Korean and Indo-China problems which it was called to settle.
§ Mr. DonnellyWill the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that, taken in terms of purely political advantage for this country and the West, the longer we go on refusing to trade with China, inevitably the more closely Chinese industrialisation will be geared to Russian economy? Will he take the opportunity of informing his right hon. Friend of the very important political aspect of trade with China?
§ Mr. Dodds-ParkerI think the hon. Member is a little muddled. It remains the policy of Her Majesty's Government to encourage trade with China in respect of all goods not covered by the strategic embargo.
§ Mr. DonnellyWill the hon. Gentleman accept the fact that I am not at all muddled, but am exceedingly clear on this point? Will he reconsider what I have said and undertake to draw the attention of his right hon. Friend to that very important political matter?
§ Mr. Dodds-ParkerThe hon. Member had better read my original answer. He will then see that the position is quite clear.
§ Mr. StokesIs the hon. Gentleman aware that facilities to trade with China would be greatly improved if Her Majesty's Government pressed the Chinese Government to open a buying office here? The difficulty now is that we can only trade through East Berlin, which is very difficult.
§ Mr. Dodds-ParkerThat is a very different question from the one on the Order Paper.
§ Mr. SnowIs it not true that the People's Government of China have a purchasing agent in this country?
§ Mr. Dodds-ParkerI am afraid I would require notice of that question.