HC Deb 03 June 1946 vol 423 c249W
Mr. Swingler

asked the President of the Board of Trade the value of Britain's trade with Rumania in the quarter ended 31st March in the years 1939 and 1946, respectively; and what are the prospects of trade relations with that country at present.

Mr. Marquand

During the first quarter of 1939 imports from Rumania were valued at £2,292,000 and total exports at £353,000, including £8,000 in respect of re-exports; during the first quarter of 1946 the only trade recorded was £16 in respect of exports of United Kingdom goods to Rumania.

As regards the second part of the Question, it is hoped that a payments agreement, which will provide the necessary framework for a resumption of trade, will shortly be concluded when the restrictions of the Trading with the Enemy legislation will be removed from current trade. The volume of our exports to Rumania will, of course, very largely depend on the amount of sterling which she can earn by making available at world prices goods of interest to us, such as timber.

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