41. Mr. Gresham Cookeasked the President of the Board of Trade whether before commencing negotiations next year for revising the current trading arrangements with Russia, he will undertake to consult all industries in this country which may suffer in consequence of Russian imports.
§ The Minister of State, Board of Trade (Mr. F. J. Erroll)The views of industry, with which we are in constant touch, will be kept in mind when our trading arrangements with the Soviet Union come to be reviewed. My right hon. Friend is also prepared, of course, to consider any specific representations that may be made.
Mr. Gresham CookeWhile thanking my hon. Friend for that reply, may I ask him to bear in mind that there are one or two industries that might suffer as a result of imports from Russia and that we do not want to see a reduction in employment or in production arising from such imports?
§ Mr. ErrollI know that my right hon. Friend will be glad to hear from my hon. Friend if he cares to write to him on the subject.
§ Mr. P. Noel-BakerWill the Minister of State represent to the President of the Board of Trade the fact that trade exchanges take place only if they are of benefit to both sides, and that it is a major British interest to break down the Iron Curtain in every way in which Russia is willing to co-operate?