HC Deb 28 January 1970 vol 794 cc1539-40
24. Mrs. Renée Short

asked the President of the Board of Trade to which Eastern European countries he intends to pay official visits in 1970.

Mr. Mason

I have accepted an invitation to visit Roumania in March and I hope to visit other countries later in the year.

Mrs. Short

May I suggest to my right hon. Friend that he would be very welcome in many Eastern European countries, and particularly at their trade fairs? If he can equal the increase in our trade with Roumania in the G.D.R., for example, by calling at the Leipzig Fair on the way, it will be a great advantage to both sides.

Mr. Mason

I will bear in mind what my hon. Friend says, but I doubt very much whether I shall be able to attend the Leipzig Fair.

Mr. Scott-Hopkins

When the right hon. Gentleman makes his visit, if he makes any, to Eastern European countries and concludes trade agreements, will he ensure that the products covered by those agreements do not include sensitive items which will upset our own home market, such as agricultural goods flooding on to our market at prices well below ours?

Mr. Mason

I listened with interest to the preceding replies given by my hon. Friend, which were adequate.