§ 13 and 20. Mr. Swinglerasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what steps he has taken since the visit to this country of Marshal Bulganin and Mr. Khrushchev to increase the volume of Anglo-Soviet trade;
(2) if he will make a statement on his discussions with representatives of the Soviet trade delegation about the prospects of improving trade between the United Kiugdom and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftA delegation of Russian experts will arrive in London this week-end to discuss the Soviet purchasing programme submitted during the visit of Mr. Bulganin and Mr. Khrushchev, and I hope that these discussions will result in an increase in our export trade.
§ Mr. SwinglerIs the right hon. Gentleman aware of the very welcome increase in some of the figures of Anglo-Soviet trade for the first quarter of this year, particularly in re-exports? Will he do everything to speed these negotiations to a successful conclusion, bearing in mind that in this sphere the abandonment of some controls might be a useful step forward?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftThe trade which we are seeking to do is outside the strategic controls. We welcome this visit, which will help to clarify the discussions which took place during the visit of Mr. Bulganin and Mr. Khrushchev, and I hope that it will result in an increase in trade.