§ Mr. Gregor Mackenzieasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the United Kingdom/Norwegian Trade Conference.
§ Mrs. Gwyneth DunwoodyA Conference on Anglo-Norwegian trade was organised by the Norway Trade Centre in association with the Confederation of British Industries, the London Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of Norwegian Industries and the Export Council of Norway. The Conference took place in London on 20th March under the chairmanship of His Excellency the Norwegian Ambassador and was attended by some 250 Norwegian and British businessmen.
The Conference was divided into two sessions. The first, introduced by the Norwegian Minister of Commerce and Shipping, Mr. Kare Willoch, covered questions of general interest such as future steps to European integration, the part to be played within E.F.T.A. by Nordic Union and bilateral trade matters of concern to both Norway and the United Kingdom. The second session which my right hon. Friend introduced dealt with specific Anglo-Norwegian trade questions and various practical ways in which the level of trade might be increased. Discussion at each session was led by a panel of eminent Norwegian and British business men.
The Conference provided a valuable opportunity for direct discussions between business men of the two nations of problems of mutual interest and I hope that it will improve the prospects for trade between Norway and the United Kingdom.