§ 2.50 p.m.
§ Lord MolloyMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will consider sending a trade, commercial or industrial mission to the USSR in response to that country's expressed desire to improve trade with the United Kingdom.
§ Lord Brabazon of TaraMy Lords, Her Majesty's Government have already considered this matter. A trade mission organised by the Scottish Council, Development and Industry intends to visit the Soviet Union from 15th to 19th September this year. My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Scotland plans to lead the mission together with the President of the Council, the noble Lord, Lord Clydesmuir. Approximately 10 company representatives are being invited to participate in the mission.
§ Lord MolloyMy Lords, is the noble Lord aware that he has given in part a very happy reply to my Question? However, bearing in mind that this is a momentous week which acknowledges the mighty achievements of the Americans, the British and the Russian people, would it not be a rather remarkable and perhaps superb idea for our present Government, despite the fact that they are a bit short on imagination, to initiate a new mission to go to Russia to acknowledge the Russian people, similar to the one which we sent to China? May not such a course be the beginning of a new approach and an entirely new aspect of international life between the three great nations that did so much to save mankind 40 years ago?
§ Lord Brabazon of TaraMy Lords, we are actively trying to promote trade with Russia. Indeed, the visit by Mr. Gorbachev in December indicated that he would like to see trade with Russia increased by 40 to 50 per cent. The possibility of a visit to the Soviet Union during 1985 by my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry or my right honourable friend the Minister for Trade is under consideration. However, the timing of such a visit will need careful consideration in the light of the visit by my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and other ministerial visits in both directions this year.
Lord Bruce of DoningtonMy Lords, is the noble Lord aware that this country was in trade deficit with the Soviet Union in 1984 to the tune of £119 million and that the average per annum over the last five years is a minus of £137 million per annum? Does he not think that in all the circumstances it might be wise if a delegation from England and perhaps Wales went over at the same time as a delegation from Scotland in order that the trade between our two countries may be considerably increased on the lines proposed by President Gorbachev?
§ Lord Brabazon of TaraMy Lords, I am aware of the balance of trade but, as I have said, we cannot send everybody at once. However, there are other things happening. My right honourable friend the Minister for Trade has invited the Soviet Minister for the Coal Industry, Mr. Bratchenko, to visit this country, and he has indicated that he wishes to take up this invitation in June. An invitation has also been extended to the Minister for the Chemical Industry, Mr. Listov, and we hope that he will take up that invitation very soon. Of course, there is also the thirteenth session of the British-Soviet Joint Mission which will be held in London in the first week of June.
§ Lord Jenkins of PutneyMy Lords, will the noble Lord the Minister recognise that cultural exchanges and trade exchanges are closely linked, and will he do his utmost to encourage both of them?
§ Lord Brabazon of TaraMy Lords, the cultural aspect is rather outside the Question and is something about which I know very little. However, as I have said, I hope that we shall do all we can on the trade side.
§ Lord BottomleyMy Lords, would it not be preferable for the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry himself to lead a trade delegation to the Soviet Union?
§ Lord Brabazon of TaraMy Lords, I think that I said that the possibility of a visit during this year is under consideration. However, there are a number of other missions both ways taking place and we must take them into consideration.
§ Lord MolloyMy Lords, is the noble Lord aware that the Russian people and their Government have already stated that they would welcome such a move on our part? Therefore, bearing in mind that the noble Lord has said that the Government have this matter on their agenda, would it not be possible for perhaps the noble Viscount the Leader of the House to see to it that this matter is put a little higher on the Cabinet's agenda so that it becomes a reality in this particular year?
§ Lord Brabazon of TaraMy Lords, from the answers which I have given so far, I had hoped to show that it was pretty high on our agenda. We must wish all the British companies who take part in these missions—both ways—the utmost success in securing business.