§ 36. Sir C. Osborneasked the President of the Board of Trade, since imports to 30th September, 1964, from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics were £63,725,786 whereas exports were only £30,423,283, if he will take action to increase exports, especially of consumer goods which provide employment; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. JayWhen I visited Moscow in October on my way to Peking I saw Mr. Kosygin and other Soviet Ministers. I emphasised the importance attached by the British Government to the undertaking given by the Soviet Minister of Foreign Trade to the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Bexley (Mr. Heath) that the Soviet Union would continue to take the necessary measures to achieve a much closer balance in the trade between our two countries. I shall continue to watch the situation carefully.
§ 37. Sir C. Osborneasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that for the first nine months of 1964 imports of fish and fish preparations from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics amounted to £2,019,442, whereas exports were only £151,852; what new steps he is taking to increase these exports, and so help the United Kingdom fishing industry; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. JayYes. I have made clear to the Soviet Government that we are looking to them to fulfil their undertaking to improve the balance of trade. I should hope that this improvement would apply particularly to the British exports for which specific quotas are provided in the Agreement.