HC Deb 26 June 1957 vol 572 cc189-90
14. Mr. Osborne

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that, although Soviet buyers are free to travel anywhere in the United Kingdom, members of the Soviet Trade Delegation, resident in London, may only move beyond the thirty-five miles limit from London under the strictest supervision, and that, since the persons so supervised act as interpreters, these restrictions are hampering our export trade; and if he will ease these controls.

The Joint Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Ian Harvey)

Members of the Soviet Trade Delegation are required to notify the Foreign Office forty-eight hours in advance of any journeys beyond a thirty-five mile radius from Hyde Park Corner. This requirement was introduced in March, 1952, in view of the severe restrictions imposed by the Soviet authorities on journeys in the Soviet Union by members of the staff of Her Majesty's Embassy at Moscow.

The members of the Soviet Trade Delegation may go freely about their business in this country, provided only that they notify their journeys forty-eight hours in advance. I cannot therefore accept that the regulations have a restrictive effect on trade.

The Answer to the last part of my hon. Friend's Question is "No, Sir."

Mr. Osborne

May I ask my hon. Friend—not in any spirit of hostility, but in order to try to help the export trade which is so important to us—whether, because the Russians have been petty and stupid, there is any reason why we should be the same? Will my hon. Friend ask the Board of Trade about this matter and, if he discovers real grounds for saying that it is hampering our export trade, will he have these restrictions removed?

Mr. Harvey

I am obliged to my hon. Friend for his support. I recognise that these restrictions are of a tiresome nature. On the other hand, they are imposed as a result of the actions of the Soviet Union and, until some adjustment is made by the Soviet Union, Her Majesty's Government are not prepared to relax them.

Mr. Bevan

Has not the Foreign Office heard that example is better than precept? Are these restrictions intended to irritate the Russians or British business?

Mr. Harvey

They do not interfere seriously with British business. Our intention is to get the restrictions removed.