§ 18. Mr. Swinglerasked the President of the Board of Trade with which countries of Eastern Europe the United Kingdom now has trade agreements; for what duration; and with which countries no trade agreements have yet been made, and why.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftWe have trade arrangements with Poland, Bulgaria and Hungary, valid respectively, until the end of this year, the end of next year, and the end of this month. We are negotiating with Hungary about future trade arrangements, and about a debt settlement, and also with Czechoslovakia about both trade and debts. We are expecting a Roumanian delegation in the near future, also to discuss trade and debts.
§ Mr. SwinglerIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that, in view of the need to find new and expanding markets for exports, it is important to extend these agreements as quickly as possible?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftThe agreements do not cover a very wide area of trade, but they deal with quotas for the exchange of less essential things on both sides and, I think, perform a very useful purpose.