§ LORD SHEPHERDMy Lords, on behalf of my noble friend, Lord Calverley, who, unfortunately, is away ill, I beg to put the Question standing in his name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress has been made with the Brazilian Government in negotiating for the release of funds and credits held by the Bank of Brazil for textile woollen goods delivered to customers in 1952.]
§ LORD MANCROFTMy Lords, formal discussions with the Brazilian Government opened on May 21 in Rio de Janeiro. As yet, the talks are at an exploratory stage and it would be premature to make a statement now 801 about their progress. I expect the noble Lords, Lord Shepherd and Lord Calverley, would like me to inform them as soon as I am in a position to give the House any further information.
§ LORD SHEPHERDIn acknowledging the reply just given, may I ask the noble Lord whether the Government are aware of the extent to which the West Riding of Yorkshire is involved in the unsettlement which exists; in the case of one firm extending to a sum of £40,000? Secondly, will the noble Lord convey to the Minister the deep sense of urgency felt by noble Lords on this side of the House at the difficulties that have arisen between our two countries in the payment for these goods?
§ LORD MANCROFTThe answer to both those supplementary questions is in the affirmative. Her Majesty's Ambassador is assisted by representatives of the Treasury and the Board of Trade, who were fully aware before they left this country of the views of the sections of the industry mentioned by the noble Lord, Lord Shepherd, and of the urgency pertaining to them—and, indeed, of all of the United Kingdom interests concerned. I will, however, make quite certain that the views just expressed by the noble Lord, Lord Shepherd, are given full weight.
§ LORD SHEPHERDI am very much obliged for the reply given.