HC Deb 22 November 1938 vol 341 cc1514-6
32. Mr. Shinwell

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Most-Favoured-Nation Clause will apply to the revisions in the United Kingdom and United States of America tariff on all articles included in the Anglo-American Trade Agreement; and what is the estimated effect?

Mr. Stanley

Concessions accorded by this country to the United States of America will be extended equally to all other foreign countries. I understand that concessions accorded by the United States of America to this country will be extended equally to all other foreign countries except Germany.

Mr. Shinwell

In view of the suggested modification of the Most-Favoured-Nation Clause in certain exceptional circumstances, and because of the highly complicated nature of the Agreement in that respect, is the right hon. Gentleman considering the issue of a White Paper on the subject, so that hon. Members may be informed?

Mr. Stanley

I have to answer another question on that point in the name of the hon. Baronet the Member for South-West Bethnal Green (Sir P. Harris).

35. Sir Percy Harris

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider publishing a White Paper explaining the effect of the concessions in the Anglo-American Trade Agreement both on imports from and exports to America?

Mr. Stanley

I propose to publish next Thursday in the "Board of Trade Journal" a statement showing in parallel columns the present rates of duty and the new rates which will come into force in the United States of America in all cases where a change in the rate of duty will result from the coming into force of the Agreement. A similar statement as regards changes made by the Canada-United States of America Agreement will be published as soon as full particulars of that Agreement are received. Changes in the United Kingdom tariff will be effected by means of Treasury Orders which will he laid before the House shortly, and I am considering the question of publishing at the same time a statement explaining these changes.

Mr. Shinwell

Would the right hon. Gentleman be good enough, in publishing the statement to which he referred, to give information with regard to the possible effect of the multiplication of the Most-Favoured-Nation Clause in certain circumstances and the effect upon the exchange rates?

Mr. Stanley

I should certainly like to consult hon. Members of all parties as to any information I could give them, but of course I am very anxious not to give in a Command Paper, which is an official document, something which must be a matter of opinion on the part of the person who writes it. If hon. Members of all parties will give me their ideas as to the sort of information they would like, I will see whether it is possible to give it to them.

Mr. Shinwell

While appreciating the desire of the right hon. Gentleman to satisfy hon. Members on these matters, may I ask him whether he is aware that considerable mystification exists as to the operation of the exchange rates and the effects of the modification in certain circumstances of the Most-Favoured-Nation Clause, and that it is desirable that we should have information on those matters?

Mr. Stanley

I think a much more practical course would be if I were to have a consultation with some hon. Members. I am only too anxious to give the House the fullest information possible.

Mr. Lees-Smith

Will the right hon. Gentleman's statement be in the form of a White Paper?

Mr. Stanley

Orders will be laid.

Mr. Lees-Smith

The right hon. Gentleman referred to a statement by the Board of Trade: will that be in the form of a White Paper?

Mr. Stanley

I referred to Orders which would be laid and accompanied by an explanatory note.