HC Deb 22 June 1948 vol 452 c121W
74. Colonel J. R. H. Hutchison

asked the President of the Board of Trade on whose initiative trade talks with Russia have been resumed; when they commenced; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Belcher

As my right hon. Friend informed the House on 1st June in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Nelson and Colne (Mr. S. Silverman) he wrote to the Soviet Ambassador suggesting a resumption of the trade talks and he has now received a reply accepting this suggestion. I hope that the necessary exploratory talks may take place fairly soon.