HC Deb 21 March 1957 vol 567 cc536-7
22. Sir L. Plummer

asked the President of the Board of Trade what financial and other support Her Majesty's Government intend to give to British firms participating in the forthcoming Poznan Fair.

Sir D. Eccles

The services of my Exhibitions and Fairs Branch have been made available to co-ordinate the exhibits of British firms showing at Poznan and there will be an official stand. Her Majesty's Ambassador in Poland is arranging to hold a reception in the pavilion housing these exhibits.

Sir L. Plummer

Is the President aware that the American Government are to build a pavilion of some 44,000 square feet in Poznan, and that the American Government are providing nearly 4 million dollars for the erection of American business stands at foreign fairs such as this? How does he think that compares with the disgraceful record which we showed at Poznan last year, where our contribution was four flagpoles?

Sir D. Eccles

Our hall this year is one of 12,000 square feet. I am told it will be a great improvement on last year.

Mr. Vane

Would my right hon. Friend agree that the four flagpoles were a more valuable contribution than four groundnuts?

Mr. H. Wilson

Without embarrassing the President by asking him how many flagpoles he is sending this year, may I ask him whether he recognises that the Government are in a very difficult position this year in that they are listening to American dictation on the question of our trade relations, not only with Poland and Eastern Germany, but with China and the Eastern bloc generally, while, at the same time, American business firms, even with the backing of the American Government, are getting in very fast, so that, when there is a sudden thaw in American Government policy in this respect. we shall have been left behind?

Sir D. Eccles

I should like to assure the right hon. Gentleman that we are extending our trade with Poland, and that we have had some very useful conversations in the last few weeks.