HC Deb 10 December 1959 vol 615 cc720-1
10. Mr. R. Harris

asked the President of the Board of Trade the present position regarding the conclusion of a trade agreement with Roumania; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Erroll

There have been preliminary discussions with the Roumanian authorities in London about the possibilities of a trade arrangement with Roumania.

Mr. Harris

Can the Minister say whether there is any prospect of a trade agreement being reached fairly soon in view of the fact that discussions have now been dragging on for some years and have got somewhat mixed up with various financial settlements, in the course of which the West Germans have been walking in and seizing as large a part as they can of this small but worthwhile market?

Mr. Erroll

We want to establish the basis of negotiations for a financial settlement first.

Mr. Langford-Holt

Would my hon. Friend agree that for some years the Roumanians have been trying to get these formal discussions and that we, for our part, have been refusing to have them?

Mr. Erroll

Certainly not.