HC Deb 28 March 1963 vol 674 cc1533-5
Q2. Sir W. Teeling

asked the Prime Minister if he will co-ordinate the activities of those members of Her Majesty's Government who are seeing the Chinese official visitors, so that they do not com- mit themselves to anything which will cause offence to India or any other Commonwealth country, and do not allow the sale to China of anything, particulary aircraft, which would help her in her as yet unsettled dispute with India.

Mr. R. A. Butler

I have been asked to reply.

My hon. Friend may rest assured that the members of Her Majesty's Government who are concerned are aware of these considerations.

Sir W. Teeling

Can my right hon. Friend tell us a little more, in view of the fact that India must be very worried that some weeks ago this mission was postponed because of a possible invasion of India and, now it is threatened again, why are we still having the mission here?

Mr. Butler

It is not a buying mission. It has come here to talk about the possibilities of future trade, and I cannot see that it can cause undue alarm.

Mr. Snow

The right hon. Gentleman will be aware that more than one Commonwealth country is doing extensive trade with the People's Republic of China. Is he aware that there will be support in many quarters for the initiative of the Government in inviting the Vice-Minister of International Trade to this country, and that we hope this will enable the domestic economy of that country to be improved, thereby reducing international tension?

Mr. Butler

Yes. It remains the policy of Her Majesty's Government to encourage the expansion of trade with the People's Republic of China.

Sir C. Osborne

In view of the desire of hon. Members on both sides of the House to do everything possible to reduce unemployment in this country, will my right hon. Friend see that no unnecessary barriers are put up against British traders who wish to trade with China, especially in view of the fact that at the moment America refuses to trade, the Soviet Union is not trading and there is a grand opportunity for us to trade?

Mr. Butler

I will discuss this with my right hon. Friend principally concerned.

Mr. J. Hynd

Will the Minister advise us why it is that when another country, for example, Egypt, buys planes from the Soviet Union, we persuade ourselves that this is the first step to making that country a vassal of the Soviet Union because of its dependence on the Soviet Union for spare parts, electrical equipment and so on, but when we are to supply planes to a Communist country it does not have the same effect?

Mr. Butler

That raises considerations rather wider than the question of trade with China.