§ LORD BARNBYasked Her Majesty's Government in view of the massive favourable balance of trade with Russia 137WA (average over the last three years of £153.81 million) what steps are being taken to bring home to the Soviet authorities the need for taking more of our exports to bring the balance more nearly into equilibrium.
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY (THE EARL OF LIMERICK)We cannot expect to have an exact balance of trade with every country but Her Majesty's Government certainly agree that the present level of our exports to the Soviet Union is disappointing. Ministers and officials of the Department of Trade and Industry as well as our Embassy in Moscow miss no opportunity to bring our views to the notice of the Soviet Government. A special opportunity to discuss this and other relevant matters will occur when my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Trade138WA and Industry and I are in Moscow from April 16 to 18 for the next session of the Anglo-Soviet Joint Commission on economic and technological co-operation. Our delegation will include leading representatives of British industry.