§ 31. Mr. Lewisasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that West Germany have signed a trade agreement with East Germany for an exchange of goods during 1958–59 of $260 million; that more than $47 million worth 597 of iron and steel, in addition to $2,400,000 worth of non-ferrous metals are to be supplied to East Germany by West Germany; and whether he will investigate the possibility of Great Britain arriving at a similar trade agreement with East Germany.
§ Sir D. EcclesYes, Sir. But these are unofficial arrangements between neighbours. So far as we are concerned, any trade agreement must be a matter for representative trade organisations, not for the Government.
§ Mr. LewisWhether it is official or not, or whatever the arrangements are, is it not unfair to British manufacturers that East and West Germany are doing an enormous trade, while British manufacturers who want to do import-export business are barred, or at least not helped, by the board of Trade? Will not the right hon. Gentleman take steps at least to put the British manufacturers on the same footing as West German manufacturers?
§ Sir D. EcclesThe point is that we do not recognise the East German Government.
§ Sir D. EcclesIt is therefore a matter for our manufacturers, if they wish, to make private arrangements. That is how the matter rests at present.