HC Deb 03 July 1962 vol 662 cc263-4
18. Mr. Rankin

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on his visit to Poland.

Sir K. Joseph

My right hon. Friend visited Poland for a week from 11th June at the invitation of the Polish Government. During his visit he reviewed Anglo-Polish trade with Polish Ministers. He visited the Poznan Fair on 15th June, which was British Day, and inspected the stands of the fifty-one British exhibitors. He also saw something of modern Polish industrial plants.

Mr. Rankin

Could the hon. Gentleman possibly have told us less about this visit? Is he not aware that it was in order to sign a commercial agreement? Can he tell us something about the terms of that agreement? Was it a favourable one? Is it the case that we can welcome it because of the terms on which exports and imports between the two countries have been agreed upon? Can favourable trade agreements of this nature continue to be made if we enter the Common Market?

Sir K. Joseph

My right hon. Friend was present when the agreed minute was signed which allowed for increased trade both ways between our two countries. My right hon. Friend was asked by Polish Ministers what the effect on our trade might be if we joined the Common Market. He was able to assure them that in the view of Her Majesty's Government our trade with all countries should generally tend to increase.

Mr. Bullard

Will my hon. Friend give an assurance that among the items talked about in these conversations was not the importation of increased quantities of Polish eggs?

Sir K. Joseph

The Polish industry has diversified itself a good deal over the past few years and I think that we can hope to trade on the basis of an increasing proportion of Polish industrial goods.

Mr. Rankin

As two of the major items were bacon and butter, can the hon. Gentleman assure us that we would be able still to import such large quantities of these commodities as are stated in the agreement if Denmark joined the Common Market with us?

Sir K. Joseph

No. The hon. Gentleman will realise that it is impossible to forecast exact items and quantities any distance ahead.

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