§ 37. Mr. Mikardoasked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking, or proposing to take, to assist British manufacturers who wish to initiate or increase exports of their products to Eastern Germany.
§ Mr. Vaughan-MorganExporters enjoy the same facilities for trade with Eastern Germany as for trade with other countries in the Soviet bloc, within the limits set by the fact that Her Majesty's Government do not recognise the present East German authorities as a Government.
§ Mr. MikardoIs not the hon. Member aware that the other N.A.T.O. countries, which equally do not recognise the East 884 German Government, nevertheless have facilitated the creation of unofficial trade agreements and clearance arrangements under which, for example, France, Belgium, Holland, Turkey and West Germany do £150 million worth of trade a year? Why are our manufacturers disadvantaged in competition with these other countries which have the same political attitudes?
§ Mr. Vaughan-MorganUnder the circumstances that I have outlined the initiative for a trade agreement from our side must rest with the representative trade organisations, as with trade organisations in the countries that the hon. Member has cited. I understand that certain of these trade organisations are at present in touch with each other, with a view to making these arrangements.
§ Mr. MikardoIs it not a fact that negotiations to this end, which were undertaken by the Federation of British Industries, have been broken off because of active discouragement by the hon. Gentleman's Department?
§ Mr. Vaughan-MorganNo, that is not true.
§ Mr. MikardoOn a point of order. In order to elicit further information about this matter, and because of the half-hearted nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall seek to raise it on the Adjournment.