HC Deb 13 December 1932 vol 273 cc174-6
13. Captain WATERHOUSE

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs if his attention has been drawn to a statement by Mr. Bennett to the effect that British traders would have access to the Canadian tariff board only by application to the Canadian Government through the British Government; and if he will make representations to the Canadian Government with the object of securing for British traders direct access to the Canadian tariff board?

The SECRETARY of STATE for DOMINION AFFAIRS (Mr. J. H. Thomas)

As I have already informed the House, I feel sure that His Majesty's Government in Canada will carry out fully the terms of Articles 13 and 14 of the recent Trade Agreement, and I have no doubt that the position with regard to Article 15 will be the same.

Captain WATERHOUSE

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, in the view of traders in this country, the right of access was the principal advantage they got from Ottawa, and will he be good enough to make the representations I ask for in my question?

Mr. THOMAS

I agree with that interpretation, and I have no reason to doubt that that will be the ultimate decision.

Captain WATERHOUSE

Am I to understand that in the opinion of the right hon. Gentleman the right of access was granted at Ottawa, and that Mr. Bennett was in error in making his statement?

Mr. THOMAS

I never correct or interpret any Minister's speech. I have merely given my own opinion.

Mr. HANNON

When will the right hon. Gentleman be in a position to tell the House precisely what the procedure in this matter will be? Are we to have access to the Canadian tariff board via the Overseas Trade Department in this country or by direct application in Canada?

Mr. THOMAS

I hope to be able to inform the House immediately the representations that are now taking place are finished. On the other hand, I would inform my hon. Friend that the traders in this country are fully aware of the difficulty. I am making and have made representations and I am in negotiation with them. Therefore, I do know their point of view, with which I sympathise.

Mr. HANNON

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether, in point of fact, the tariff board in Canada has yet been appointed to deal with these matters?

Mr. THOMAS

The tariff board is not yet fully established, but it is only fair to the Canadian Government to say that they are in the process of forming it now.

Mr. MORGAN JONES

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the statement attributed to Mr. Bennett is in accordance with his view of what was agreed upon at Ottawa?

Mr. THOMAS

I have only seen Press reports of the statement. Until I get a full statement I would not like to say.

Mr. HOLDSWORTH

Will the right hon. Gentleman give the House a definite promise that he will impress upon the Canadian Government the opinion of manufacturers in this country that they should have direct access to the tariff board?

Mr. THOMAS

I not only say that, but I say that that is what the British Government would desire.

Mr. MAXTON

When the right hon. Gentleman agreed to Sections 13, 14 and 15, did he believe that they gave our traders the right of access to the Canadian Board? May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he knew when he assented to Sections 13, 14 and 15 what he was assenting to?

Mr. THOMAS

I have no hesitation in saying that I would not think for a moment that my hon. Friend would assent to anything that he did not know about. That is my position.

Mr. MAXTON

Then if the right hon. Gentleman understood it, did he understand that British traders had direct access to the Canadian Tariff Board?

Mr. THOMAS

I have already intimated that in my view that is the only satisfactory way.