HC Deb 02 May 1944 vol 399 cc1175-6
13. Mr. Shinwell

asked the President of the Board of Trade what negotiations are proceeding between this country and the U.S.A. on the subject of a commercial agreement; whether the Dominion countries are associated with the discussions; and if he will give an assurance that no agreement will debar this country from concluding separate agreements with the Dominion countries.

Mr. Dalton

No such negotiations between the United States and United Kingdom Governments are proceeding at present.

Mr. Shinwell

Are there no experts' discussions proceeding?

Mr. Dalton

Not at present, but, in any case, a sharp distinction has to be drawn between discussions between experts and negotiations, in the proper sense, between representatives of Governments.

Mr. Shinwell

May I ask whether any discussions between experts are contemplated?

Mr. Dalton

That is another question. My hon. Friend is fishing assiduously. I have given him a straight answer, and there was a full Debate on these matters only the week before last, when the hon. Member himself made a speech of great distinction.

Mr. Shinwell

Is it not necessary to fish assiduously in order to protect the interests of this country; and will the Minister not understand that I am not putting this question in a hostile spirit at all but merely because I am anxious to ascertain whether any expert discussions are either pending or in contemplation?

Mr. Dalton

I am anxious to give the hon. Member a perfectly clear and straightforward answer. There have been —and this has been stated in the House before by the Chancellor of the Exchequer and by me—over the past two years, a number of discussions between officials, both as between the British and the United States Governments, and between the United Kingdom and Dominion Governments, and I have no doubt that further such discussions will take place in future, but no commitments or conclusions have yet been reached. The family council of the Empire is now meeting, and we had a full Debate the week before last, when a commitment was given that, until the family council had concluded their discussions, and agreement had been reached, no further developments would take place in this; matter.

Sir Herbert Williams

If these experts publish a Report, comparable to that issued after the meeting of the currency experts, will the Minister give an assurance that it will be couched in language which ordinary people can understand?

Mr. Graham, White

May we assume that these discussions, when they take place, will be under the direction of the Chancellor of the Exchequer?

Mr. Dalton

Oh, yes, Sir. Officials do not run wild.