HC Deb 17 June 1964 vol 696 cc1266-8
15. Mr. W. Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the object and achievements of his recent official visit to Moscow.

40. Mr. Emrys Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on his recent official visit to Moscow.

Mr. Noble

Yes, Sir. I visited Moscow from 21st to 25th May to attend the British Agricultural Exhibition. The exhibition was markedly successful in attracting visits from high ranking Soviet Ministers and from agricultural specialists from many parts of the Soviet Union and beyond.

Both at the exhibition and elsewhere I met and had talks on trade, agricultural and veterinary matters with a number of Ministers and senior officials. They emphasised how grateful they were to the United Kingdom for arranging the exhibition, which they regarded as only the beginning of co-operation in the sphere of agriculture, and they made it clear that they were impressed by the high quality of the exhibits. From the discussions I had, I am confident that there is a good prospect of increased trade with the Soviet Union in which Scotland is likely to share fully.

Mr. Hamilton

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether any concrete results have yet been obtained as a direct result of his visit? 'Can he say whether the Russians have a palate for 12-year old corned beef?

Mr. Noble

I did not discuss the second question with any of the Ministers whom I met in Russia. I am not certain what concrete results could have been achieved as a result of my visit. The exhibition as a whole has had very useful results and I hope that my visit may carry these forward into the future.

Mr. Hughes

Is it true that the right hon. Gentleman caused a tremendous sensation in Moscow and completely stole the publicity from Marlene Dietrich and Major Yuri Alexeyevitch Gagarin by appearing in a kilt? Does he intend to lend this kilt to the Foreign Secretary? Can he tell us whether he was really impressed by Communism in Russia and found that it was not such a terrible, awful nightmare after all?

Mr. Noble

I am not certain that the Foreign Secretary would wish to have my kilt, or that it would fit him, but I am sure that he will note the hon. Gentleman's suggestion. There were many things in the course of my visit to the exhibition in which I found a great deal to interest me in Communist agriculture.

Mr. Gordon Walker

As one who visited the exhibition, may I assure the right hon. Gentleman that I was enormously impressed by the way in which it was put on and by the keenness and ability of the people who were running it, and, as far as I could judge, the very great interest of leading Soviet people and ordinary Soviet citizens? It seemed to be admirable.

Mr. Noble

I thank the right hon. Gentleman for those words. As he probably knows, I was interested in the very start of the exhibition some years ago. I should like to join with him in paying tribute to the hon. Member for Hereford (Mr. Gibson-Watt) and others who played an excellent part in running the exhibition.