§ 4. Mr. Sydney Chapmanasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Anglo-Russian relations, with particular reference to the balance of trade between the two countries.
§ The Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr. Julian Amery)My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry reported to the House on Monday on his recent visit to Moscow.—[Vol. 856, c. 4–5.]
I believe this visit will lead both to increased trade and also to a continued improvement in relations generally.
§ Mr. ChapmanWe hope that the mission will lead to increased trade, but would not one of the best ways to improve relations between the United Kingdom and the USSR be to lessen the gap between our exports to that country— running at only £90 million—and our imports from that country—running at over £227 million? There is a responsibility on firms and industries in this country to sell more in Russia, but surely there is also a need for removing many of the political snags which these firms face in trying to sell goods in that country.
§ Mr. AmeryYes, indeed, and my right hon. Friend represented that particular discrepancy very forcefully.
§ Mr. FernyhoughDoes not the right hon. Gentleman agree that for 20 years we have been inhibited in our trade with Russia because of the American Battle Act? How much smaller is the strategic list of goods which our manufacturers may not supply than it was five years ago? If there is an embargo, it means that it is impossible for our manufacturers, with all the good will in the world, to do the trade that they would like.
§ Mr. AmeryNo, Sir. I doubt the hon. Gentleman's premise, because several of our EEC partners, to whom the same inhibitions apply, have been increasing their trade very successfully, and so has Japan.