HC Deb 28 June 1938 vol 337 cc1688-9
28. Sir Louis Smith

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in the negotiations for the Anglo-American treaty, he will consider the desirability of so framing the treaty that Japan will not be able under the Most-Favoured-Nation Clause to take advantage of all the concessions made to this country in respect of imports into the United States?

The President of the Board of Trade (Mr. Oliver Stanley)

The tariff treatment by the United States Government of imports from Japan is entirely a matter for that Government. I can assure my hon. Friend, however, that the question of ensuring that tariff concessions accorded to the United Kingdom under a trade agreement with the United States are so framed as to ensure benefits to those classes of goods in which the United Kingdom has a major interest is being fully kept in mind.

55. Mr. Sorensen

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether in the trade negotiations now proceeding with the United States Government, he will consider the advisability of arranging extensive tariff concessions on trade to and from the Colonial Empire?

Mr. Stanley

The negotiations now in progress embrace trade between the Colonial Empire and the United States. I can assure the hon. Member that I am maintaining close touch with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Mr. Sorensen

Does the right hon. Gentleman not realise that tariff barriers do affect very adversely the natives in our Colonial Empire, and can we take it that as a result of these negotiations the burdens upon these natives will be materially lightened?