§ 40. Mr. de Freitasasked the Prime Minister what particular representations he made during his recent visit to the United States of America about the awarding of the Greer's Ferry Dam English Electric Company's turbine contract to the United States firm which had recently been allowed to export earth-moving equipment to this country.
§ The Prime MinisterI made clear the great importance which Her Majesty's Government attach to these questions of trade and economics. I do not think that it would be appropriate for me to give any greater detail of the content of these private conversations.
§ Mr. de FreitasDoes the Prime Minister realise that Lincoln has suffered in two ways from this sorry business, first, because it was to have made components for the English Electric equipment, and secondly, because orders for Lincoln-made bulldozers have been cancelled as a direct result of the British Government's decision to allow the import into this country of bulldozers made by this same American firm? Is it not bad enough to be hit on the chin by the American Government without being kicked on the shins by the British Government at the same time?
§ The Prime MinisterI think the general view of this House is in favour of the 22 principle that the broad prosperity of the free world can best be built upon an expansion of international trade. Nevertheless, we have to take into account the facts and in this connection, while I am not prepared to reveal my private conversations with the United States authorities, I can assure the hon. Gentleman that we have put forward our views as strongly as we can.