HC Deb 14 July 1966 vol 731 cc1688-9
4. Mrs. Renée Short

asked the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to encourage motor car manufacturers to show initiative in entering the Soviet market.

The President of the Board of Trade (Mr. Douglas Jay)

British motor manufacturers are already in direct touch with the Soviet authorities at high level about the supply of plant and know-how for the production of motor vehicles in the Soviet Union. I have made it plain to the Soviet authorities that British manufacturers are anxious to be informed about detailed Soviet requirements.

Mrs. Short

Is not my right hon. Friend concerned at the progress which Fiat and Renault have made in the Soviet market, and does he not think that he ought to be a little tougher with private enterprise?

Mr. Jay

I have discussed this in the last week both with the Soviet Minister of Trade and with Mr. George Harriman and Sir Donald Stokes. Leylands and B.M.C. are now pressing the Soviet authorities for details of their requirements.

Mr. Alison

To what extent did the President of the Board of Trade, when he was in Moscow, indicate to the Russians that the Government would be happy to welcome Soviet manufacturers in this country?

Mr. Jay

I do not think that that point arose, but we certainly should in appropriate circumstances.