HL Deb 14 February 1962 vol 237 cc461-2

2.23 p.m.

LORD WALSTON

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

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what are the reasons for the absence of a United Kingdom stand at the international agricultural fair known as the "International Green Week" held in Berlin during the first week of February.]

THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD (EARL WALDEGRAVE)

My Lords, the policy of the Government is to leave it to the initiative of British manufacturers to decide for themselves, as a matter of commercial judgment, whether or not to take part in particular trade fairs. I am informed that no British firm expressed a wish to take part in the International Green Week, either directly or through an agent, and that no request was received from industry for assistance in arranging British participation in this exhibition. If a reason- able number of firms had been prepared to take part in the exhibition, the Board of Trade would have been glad to consider helping them to organise a suitable stand.

LORD WALSTON

My Lords, would the noble Earl be prepared to look once more at his information, because there were two British firms represented there in the shape of two tractor manufacturers? What was so conspicuously lacking, however, was any official or general United Kingdom stand, which stood out by its absence in the British Sector of Berlin and was particularly noticeable in view of the representation there of virtually every other country in Europe, even such countries as Israel and the Lebanon.

EARL WALDEGRAVE

My Lords, I am aware that certain tractor manufacturers were present at this show through their international organisations. They were big international firms which have a big British interest. The question of a prestige exhibition put up by the Government would fall to my noble friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. There are no doubt very good reasons why it is not possible for this country to put up prestige exhibitions at every fair wherever it is held.