6. Mr. Gresham Cookeasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has yet had any indication from the experience of British companies gathered at the Leipzig Fair of 1961 of the likelihood of reduced or increased representation of British companies at the Fair in 1962.
§ Mr. MaudlingI am informed that the experience of British participants at the recent Leipzig Fair will encourage most of them to show again next year, and that some exhibitors will probably require more space.
Mr. Gresham CookeWould my right hon. Friend bear in mind that there are a number of firms, I am informed, which have been exhibiting for three or four years and which have been able to sell only just the products on the stand? They are getting a little bored with that and will not go on unless there is an opening up of trade between this country and East Germany.
§ Mr. MaudlingThere has been a substantial increase in trade between this country and East Germany, and the recently announced trade agreement between the F.B.I. and its East German counterpart provides for quite a big increase again this year.
§ Mr. LiptonWould it not help matters considerably if we did the sensible thing and recognised the East German Government?
§ Mr. MaudlingI do not think that it would have the slightest effect on our trade with them.