HC Deb 18 February 1964 vol 689 cc190-2W
Sir W. Bromley-Davenport

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development (1) what is the present position with regard to the trade agreements between Great Britain, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland and Russia; what is the currency of the present trade agreements with these countries and what arrangements are being made to initiate fresh agreements when they expire:

(2) what has been the trade balance between Great Britain and Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland and Russia, respectively, during the past four years during which trade agreements have been in operation between Great Britain and those countries; to what extent the balance of trade with them is unfavourable to this country; and what steps will be taken when the new agreements are negotiated to try and obtain a more favourable balance.

Mr. du Cann

The information asked for is as follows:

£'000
— 1960 1961 1962 1963
CZECHOSLOVAKIA
U.K. Imports … … 11,216 13,578 13,248 16,319
U.K. Exports and re-exports … … 8,881 11,212 14,163 11,960
U.K. Trade Surplus (+) or Deficit (-) -2,335 -2,366 +915 -4,359
HUNGARY
U.K. Exports and re-exports … … 4,552 5,873 6,985 7,484
U.K. Imports … … 4,311 4,259 4,773 5,783
U.K. Trade Surplus … … +241 +1,614 +2,212 +1,701
POLAND
U.K. Imports … … 35,842 36,839 38,370 40,191
U.K. Exports and re-exports … … 14,858 23,263 32,968 28,067
U.K. Trade Deficit … … -20,984 -13,576 -5,402 -12,124
U.S.S.R.
U.K. Imports … … 74,937 85,033 84,154 90,961
U.K. Exports and re-exports … … 53,339 69,482 57,485 63,781
U.K. Trade Deficit … … -21,598 -15,551 -26,669 -27,090
NOTE: Imports are c.i.f.; Exports and re-exports f.o.b.

As regards future arrangements for trade with Czechoslovakia, Hungary and Poland, I refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the Answer which my right hon. Friend gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Coventry, South (Mr. Hocking) on 28th January, 1964. In the case of the U.S.S.R. we shall be negotiating a new Trade Agreement during the next few months and we shall of course at that time seek increased outlets for British exporters.

Sir W. Bromley-Davenport

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development, whether he will give an assurance that in any future

The United Kingdom has the following trade agreements or arrangements with these countries:

  • Czechoslovakia—Trade Arrangement for three years from 1st January, 1963.
  • Hungary—Trade Arrangement for three years from 27th January, 1963.
  • Poland—Trade Arrangement for five years from 1st July, 1963.
  • U.S.S.R.—Trade Agreement for five years from 1st July, 1959.

The following tables show United Kingdom imports, exports and the consequent balance of trade with each of the countries named:

trade agreements with Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland and Russia he will take steps to ensure that as far as possible import quotas are not increased in any case where the market for the goods concerned in this country in comparatively static and any increase of imports will result in the closing of British factories or redundancy of workers therein.

Mr. du Cann

In considering the possibility of increased imports from these countries I have regard to all relevant circumstances, including the state of the British industry.