§ 51. Mr. Hattersleyasked the President of the Board of Trade what consultations he had with the British Motor Corporation in preparation for their meeting with the Russian trade delegation which visited the company to discuss the possibility of the British Motor Corporation participating in the development of the Soviet motor industry.
§ Mr. HattersleyIs not that an extraordinary state of affairs? Can the Minister of State say whether the omission is now being remedied in discussions between himself and B.M.C. in preparation for that firm's attempt to secure the next factory in the Russian car industry?
§ Mr. MasonNo industry is bound to consult my Department before receiving a delegation from any country, including the U.S.S.R. In this case the company acted, as it was entitled to do, entirely on its own initiative, although no doubt my hon. Friend noticed that I tried to help B.M.C. by raising this matter with the Soviet Prime Minister when I was in the U.S.S.R.