HL Deb 12 July 1949 vol 163 cc1119-20

2.36 p.m.

LORD VANSITTART

My Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether it is their settled policy to allow no extremity of man's inhumanity to man to affect their economic relations with the tyrannies behind the Iron Curtain.]

THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (LORD HENDERSON)

My Lords, economic relations between His Majesty's Government and other countries are normally based on principles and considerations of mutual economic benefit. The policy of His Majesty's Government in this matter was clearly explained in the reply which I gave to the noble Earl, Lord Perth, on April 5. The noble Lord will in any case appreciate that special action in a particular case could clearly not be taken without regard to all the circumstances at the time and to the probable consequences to all concerned.

LORD VANSITTART

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for his reply. Arising out of the answer, may I ask whether it is appreciated that our imports from Czechoslovakia are much less important than our exports to Czechoslovakia? Whilst I fully appreciate what the Secretary of State has said in regard to the relationship between politics and economics, is there not another factor which cannot be wholly disregarded—namely, that of humanity?

LORD HENDERSON

My Lords, with regard to the first part of the supplementary question of the noble Lord, that question is being taken into account in the trade negotiations. As regards the second part of the supplementary question, I think that if the noble Lord will look at the latter part of my reply to the original Question, he will find that the point is dealt with.

LORD VANSITTART

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for his answer to the first part of my supplementary, which makes me feel a little more hopeful.

LORD STRABOLGI

My Lords, arising out of this Question and answers, may I ask my noble friend whether this is not a case of continuity of policy, and whether in the past Conservative and Liberal Governments have not always encouraged trade and commerce with all sorts of Governments, including the Cannibal Islands?

LORD VANSITTART

My Lords, I am unaware whether the noble Lord's question was asked of me or the Government spokesman. I have not so far heard that any of the cruelties practised in the Cannibal Islands in any way approach those committed behind the Iron Curtain.

LORD STRABOLGI

My Lords, may I have an answer from my noble friend, to whom the question was addressed, on the question of continuity of policy with past Governments?

LORD HENDERSON

My Lords, I dare say the remarks of the noble Lord, Lord Strabolgi, are correct, as a general statement, but the noble Lord, Lord Vansittart, asked me about particular questions, and in my reply I indicated the position in regard to particular cases.