§ 52. Sir Arnold Wilsonasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in negotiating a new trade agreement with Switzerland, he will give an assurance that no alteration will be made in the rates or system of application of import duties, particularly in respect of goods now being manufactured in this country for the first time on a large scale with machinery set up since 1931, and in no case without full consultation with the Import Duties Advisory Board and the trade associations concerned?
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade (Captain Euan Wallace)I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that the interests of all branches of United Kingdom trade and industry which may be affected by these negotiations will be taken into consideration. The usual practice has been followed of consulting the Import Duties Advisory Committee, and, as was pointed out in the reply given to the hon. Member for South Croydon (Mr. H. G. Williams) on 2nd December, it is open to any trade interests to make representations. I might add that many of these have already done so.
§ Mr. ShinwellAre we to understand that no trade agreement is concluded without the consent of the Import Duties Advisory Committee?
§ Captain WallaceNo, Sir, certainly not.
§ Mr. ShinwellAre we to understand that no trade agreement is concluded without consulting the Committee?
§ Captain WallaceYes, I think the hon. Member may take that to be the case.