§ 33. Mr. Chorltonasked the President of the Board of Trade what countries will be affected under the Most-Favoured-Nation Clause in the lately concluded Trade Agreement with the United States with a consequent reduction of the preference originally given to us; and to what extent?
§ Mr. StanleyI would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to a similar question by the hon. Member for Seaham (Mr. Shinwell) on 22nd November.
§ Mr. ShinwellCan the Minister say why the Most-Favoured-Nation Clause should be applied to those countries which show no disposition to reduce their tariffs?
§ Mr. StanleyI have made it plain that we withdraw the clause in the case of any country which discriminates against our exports.
§ Sir John HaslamWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the abrogation of this clause, because it belongs to an antiquated system which, I think, has gone out of date altogether, and is proving detrimental to the interests of this country?
§ Mr. StanleyThat is too large a question to decide by question and answer, but I cannot admit all that the hon. Member has said.
§ Mr. BurkeIn view of the changed economic conditions, is it not time to reconsider the advisability of altering this Most-Favoured-Nation Clause?
§ Mr. StanleyI do not think it is a subject which can be debated at Question Time, but I think the hon. Member will have a great amount of apostolic work to do with his colleagues who believe in the greatest possible extension of free trade.