Mr. C. I. Orr-Ewingasked the President of the Board of Trade what goods Czechoslovakia is taking in return for the artificial flowers exported to this country.
Mr. H. WilsonThere is no direct relationship between exports of particular goods from the United Kingdom to Czechoslovakia and imports of artificial flowers from Czechoslovakia. We agreed to issue licences for the import of certain miscellaneous goods from Czechoslovakia, including artificial flowers, as part of the general arrangements recently negotiated for the second year of the Anglo-Czechoslovak Trade and Financial Agreement.
§ Mr. W. Fletcherasked the President of the Board of Trade why contracts of over £1 million have been made by His Majesty's Government with Czechoslovakia for the importation into this country of wood oil and bristles originating in China; and whether established British interests in the Far East with facilities for bulk transport and saving of cost were given equal opportunity to participate in this.
Mr. H. WilsonWood oil and bristles are imported on private account. His Majesty's Government have made no contracts for the importation of these commodities from Czechoslovakia though they have agreed, in the course of the negotiation of arrangements for the second year of the Anglo-Czechoslovak Trade and Financial Agreement, to issue licences to private importers up to certain amounts. The second part of the Question does not, therefore, arise.