§ 85. Mr. HANNONasked the Secretary of State for India whether the Indo-Japanese trade agreement which has been concluded between representatives of the Indian and Japanese Governments will result in India not being restricted in the grant of trade preferences to Empire countries under the scheme of most-favoured-nation treatment accorded to Japan in the convention and protocol which embodies the trade agreement; and if the full text of the agreement will be made available to Members of the House of Commons?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Mr. Butler)The hon. Member need have no anxiety on this score. The agreement confers most-favoured-nation rights on Japan in respect of import duties as against other foreign countries, but the Government of India have throughout made it clear to the Japanese Government that, in accordance with their undertaking at Ottawa, nothing in this agreement will be allowed to interfere with any mutual preferences which Governments of the Commonwealth might decide to accord to each other. The text of the agreement will certainly be made available in due course.
§ Mr. HANNONCan my hon. Friend say when it will be made available?
§ Mr. BUTLERI am not in a position to say at the moment, but I will let my hon. Friend know.