HC Deb 25 November 1964 vol 702 cc1265-6
24. Mr. Noble

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to improve Anglo-Soviet relations by encouraging an exchange of visits by working farmers to study farming methods in the two countries.

Mr. Peart

None, Sir, at the present time. We are concentrating our efforts on making a success of the proposed arrangements for co-operation between the agricultural research services of this country and the Soviet Union. Other possibilities might be examined later.

Mr. Noble

Does not the Minister agree that the exhibition in Moscow, which was opened by my right hon. Friend and at which he was present, provided an opportunity to make a break-through in research? Does not he also agree that if this is to have a lasting effect on Anglo-Soviet relations, the suggestion which I have made, and which commended itself to the Russians when I was there, is something which ought to be considered with urgency?

Mr. Peart

I agree with the right hon. Gentleman that in view of what happened in Moscow, and the very successful British exhibition, many informal talks took place. As I have indicated, we are anxious to have co-operation, especially at first on an agricultural research service. It may well be that at a later stage we might have something such as the right hon. Gentleman has considered. Perhaps we could have another look at this but I should not like to prejudice the co-operation which already exists.

Mr. Emrys Hughes

Is not my right hon. Friend aware that one of the best-known working farmers in this country, the Leader of the Opposition, went to Moscow and made a speech in which he said that all men are brothers? Would it not be a good thing to send 1,000 British farmers to spend six weeks in Russia and to bring 1,000 Russian farmers over here to create a deterrent against war? That would be a good deal cheaper than nuclear submarines?

Mr. Peart

I would agree with my hon. Friend that the more co-operation we have, even with the right hon. Gentleman the Leader of the Opposition, the better it is for the good of world peace.

Sir C. Osborne

In the right hon. Gentleman's capacity as Minister of Fisheries, will he bear in mind another aspect? The Russians sell to our country twenty times more fish and fish products than we sell to them. Would he press his colleague the President of the Board of Trade to see that we get a fairer deal from the Russians in this matter?

Mr. Peart

That is entirely another question. I hope that the hon. Gentleman will not spoil the harmony today.