HC Deb 06 March 1947 vol 434 cc623-5
11 and 12. Colonel Crosthwaite-Eyre

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) as a result of the recommendation of the Preparatory Committee of the International Trade Conference, from what countries a list has been received asking for reduction of tariffs and preferences; the principal items involved; and the average percentage reduction requested;

(2) as a result of the recommendations of the Preparatory Committee of the International Trade Conference, to what countries a list has been sent asking for reduction of tariffs and preferences; the principal items involved; and the average percentage reduction requested.

Sir S. Cripps

A provisional list of requests has been sent by the United Kingdom to each of the countries which took part in the first session of the Preparatory Committee, except Chile, Lebanon and Norway, whose participation in the tariff negotiations was agreed at a later date. Our lists for these countries are consequently still in preparation. So far the only countries from which detailed lists of requests for concessions in the United Kingdom tariff have been received are the United States of America and the Union of South Africa, but we expect to receive others in the near future. It was agreed at the Preparatory Committee that the requests should be confidential and it would not make for a successful negotiation to reply to the latter parts of the two Questions.

Colonel Crosthwaite-Eyre

While appreciating the point about this being of a confidential nature, may I ask whether the information already published in this country shows that the United States request is the equivalent of the complete abandonment of Imperial Preference, and will the right hon. and learned Gentleman give an assurance that His Majesty's Government will not tolerate this at all?

Sir S. Cripps

That is another question altogether.

Sir Waldron Smithers

Will His Majesty's Government issue a statement that they are prepared to have freer trade with any country which will do the same with us?

Sir S. Cripps

That also is not this question.

Sir W. Smithers

The right hon. and learned Gentleman cannot answer it.

13. Colonel Crosthwaite-Eyre

asked the President of the Board of Trade what trade authorities he consulted before the formulation of British proposals for tariff and preference reductions forwarded to other countries in accordance with the recommendation of the Preparatory Committee of the International Trade Conference.

Sir S. Cripps

Every effort has been made to ensure that trade bodies are properly consulted about the United Kingdom proposals for tariff and preference reductions forwarded to other countries in accordance with the recommendation of the Preparatory Committee. On 15th April, 1946, a letter was sent by the Board of Trade to the Federation of British Industries, Association of British Chambers of Commerce, National Union of Manufacturers and the Cotton Board asking them to request the trade organisations administered by, or affiliated to, each of these bodies to furnish advice on matters relating to tariffs and preferences. A similar letter was sent to Export Groups, to the more important non-affiliated trade associations and also to the T.U.C. As a result the Board of Trade have received the views of a large section of industry. Close contact has been maintained with the bodies mentioned above and, in addition, special meetings with various branches of industry have been held. Provision has been made for continuing consultation with industry both before and during the negotiations.

Colonel Crosthwaite-Eyre

Can the President of the Board of Trade say whether as a result of these consultations general agreement has been achieved between the Government and the employers and employees in industry?

Sir S. Cripps

I am afraid I cannot.

Sir P. Hannon

Can the President of the Board of Trade say that before he sends these recommendations he will arrange some sort of joint conference of the various organisations concerned with which consultations have taken place to get a general opinion before he commits this country?

Sir S. Cripps

The special matters to be discussed are so diverse, and many of them refer only to particular industries, that it is doubtful whether such a joint meeting could come to any satisfactory conclusion.