§ 26. Sir C. Taylorasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that, in view of strained relations between this country and South Africa, the South African Broadcasting Corporation has placed an order with the French Thomson-Houston company amounting to £1,100,000 which otherwise might have been placed in Great Britain and that orders for aircraft amounting to many millions of pounds are also now likely to be placed in France; and what steps he is taking to improve trade relations with South Africa.
§ Mr. GreenOur present trade relations with South Africa are good. My right hon. Friend has no reason to believe176W that the placing of the South African Broadcasting Corporation contract was anything but a commercial decision; he is not aware that the South African Government have taken any decision regarding major orders for aircraft in the future.