§ 16. Mr. Lyellasked the Secretary of State for Trade what steps are being taken, whether through the EEC or otherwise, to combat the damage to free world liner trades between Europe and the Far East arising from the non-commercial rates quoted by the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics for its trans-Siberian container service.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Trade (Mr. Norman Tebbit)The first step is to develop a common appreciation among the Governments in Europe and in the Far East of the extent of the threat from the trans-Siberian land bridge. The matter is under discussion within the OECD.
§ Mr. LyellI thank my hon. Friend for that answer. May I ask him to remember that the USSR already takes 30 per cent. of the westbound trade and 24 per cent. of the eastbound trade, according to the General Council of British Shipping, and that urgent action is therefore necessary? What is the next step that my hon. Friend has in mind?
§ Mr. TebbitMy hon. Friend refers to certain figures. I think that he should make it plain that it is the Japanese trade about which he is speaking. The next step must be to collect appropriate information, because the information we have is not entirely comprehensive, and then to consider within the Community to what extent the Community as a whole can take any action that it might feel appropriate.
§ Mr. Robert AtkinsIs this not another example of the Russians subsidising an activity to the detriment of the free world and of Britain in particular?
§ Mr. TebbitSince Russia does not issue financial statistics of such operations, it is difficult to say positively that it is subsidised, but certainly the rates offered raise that suspicion in most people's minds.