§ 7. Mr. Lewisasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish in HANSARD details of the goods for which he has refused import licences to British businessmen desiring to import goods from Eastern Germany, since October, 1956; and which of these items were allowed into this country prior to October, 1956.
§ Sir D. EcclesWith permission, I will circulate the information in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. LewisCan the President give any logical reason why he should be cutting down this trade, when the West Germans, who also do not have political recognition of East Germany, are extending their trade at the expense of British businessmen? Is it not as well to get down to trade, irrespective of the politics of the matter, and not to allow politics to interfere with the extension of trade?
§ Sir D. EcclesWe should be very willing to see these barter agreements go through if the East Germans would keep their side of the bargain.
§ Following is the information:
§ Licences for the import from Eastern Germany of consignments of the following goods under specific barter deals have been refused since October, 1956:
- *Calculating machines.
- *Carpets.
- *Chinaware.
- Drawing machines, and instruments.
- *Furniture.
- *Glassware.
- Hardware.
- *Musical Instruments.
- *Pottery.
- Piano parts.
- *Typewriters.
- *Woodware (domestic).
§ Imports of the items marked with an asterisk had previously been licensed as part of acceptable barter arrangements.