HC Deb 15 June 1937 vol 325 c173
3. Mr. Bellenger

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can make any announcement on the discussions which have taken placce at the Imperial Conference with regard to the conclusion of an Anglo-American trade pact?

Mr. Stanley

I cannot usefully add to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Seaham (Mr. Shinwell) on 8th June, and to what I said in the Debate on the Committee stage of the Finance Bill on 9th June.

Mr. Bellenger

In view of the widespread interest in the discussions, which, I take it, have been going on, can the right hon. Gentleman not give us a little more than this scanty information?

Mr. Stanley

I quite realise the interest taken by hon. Members, and I shall always be glad to give the House any information which I think I can give without prejudicing the course of the negotiations. I know that hon. Members realise that negotiations of this kind are difficult and necessarily confidential, and would not want any disclosure which might make matters more difficult.