HC Deb 07 December 1951 vol 494 cc344-5W
Mr. Hamilton

asked the President of the Board of Trade what consumer goods he has offered to supply to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics; and what the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics has offered in return, and in what quantities.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

There has been no such exchange of specific offers. In the course of conversations initiated last September the Soviet commercial representative in London was given a list of a wide range of consumer goods which we have available. There is no indication, however, that the Soviet authorities have seriously in mind making purchases of such goods. For our part we cannot afford to buy the less essential goods which the Soviet authorities are anxious to sell here, unless there is full reciprocity.