§ 81. Mrs. Renée Shortasked the President of the Board of Trade if, in view of the fact that the German Democratic 2116 Republic is now Great Britain's fourth largest export market in Eastern Europe, and in view of the recent visit of the German Democratic Republic's Minister of Foreign Trade to West Germany, he will now invite Herr Soelle to visit Great Britain with a view to further improving British export trade to the German Democratic Republic.
§ 75. Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the agreement between Her Majesty's Government and the West German Government not to recognise the German Democratic Republic and not to issue entry visas to East Germans, and in view further to the fact that Herr Horst Soelle, the Minister of Foreign Trade for the German Democratic Republic, together with his deputy, Herr Heinz Behrendt, visited the Hanover Fair last May, he will now invite these Ministers to visit Great Britain.
§ Mr. JayHer Majesty's Government do not recognise the East German régime, and cannot therefore issue invitations to its members to visit this country.
§ Mrs. Renée ShortIs not that a silly reply which my right hon. Friend has given, in view of the facts stated in my Question? The fact is that we are increasing our trade with the G.D.R. and I am darned thankful that we are. If the West Germans can invite the Minister of Foreign Trade of the G.D.R., why on earth cannot we? Did not someone say that we should not allow political prejudices to interfere with our trade?
§ Mr. JayThere is a saying that those who do not want to have silly answers should not ask a certain type of question. I assure my hon. Friend that through negotiations between the business organisations in both countries, our trade with East Germany is increasing at a satisfactory rate and is also very satisfactory.