§ 24. Mr. Pageasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will give an assurance that appropriate steps will be taken to ensure that the proposed increase in exports to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics will not be allowed to cause a contraction in the development of potential markets for British goods in the Commonwealth and Colonies.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftI cannot give assurances as to how particular firms may conduct their business, but it is certainly the Government's hope that this trade will he additional to our exports elsewhere.
§ Mr. PageCould not my right hon. Friend give as much glamour publicity to the list of exports required by the Colonies and Commonwealth as has been 581 given to the list required by Russia? Would he use his influence, while welcoming this trade with Russia, to prevent manufacturers and exporters from reaching for the moon of the Russian trade to the detriment of the markets waiting for them for the asking in the Colonies and the Commonwealth?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftThe answer is that we cannot have too many export opportunities. We need all the opportunities we can get, and we must seize them.