British Trade Fair, Moscow

HC Deb 26 January 1961 vol 633 c332

39. Mr. Greenwood

asked the President of the Board of Trade who is to perform the opening ceremony at the British Trade Fair in Moscow.

Mr. Maudling

The organisers of the Fair have invited me to perform the opening ceremony, and I have had much pleasure in accepting.

Mr. Greenwood

I congratulate the right hon. Gentleman on the choice which has been made, but may I put to him the thought that there would be widespread public support for the suggestion that, as the Duke of Edinburgh performed the opening ceremony at the British Exhibition in America, he should be invited to perform a similar function in Moscow?

Mr. Maudling

I do not know what other ideas may or may not have passed through the minds of the people concerned. I can only accept what invitations are passed to me.