HC Deb 14 June 1948 vol 452 cc18-9
23 and 25. Mr. Platts-Mills

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) if he will give an assurance that, in negotiating the Bilateral Agreement with the U.S.A. in connection with Marshall Aid, he will not surrender to the E.R.P. Administrator the power to decide the rate of exchange of British currency;

(2) if he will give an assurance that, when negotiating a Bilateral Agreement with the U.S.A. in connection with Marshall Aid, he will not surrender to the Administrator the right to veto or in any way interfere with British tariff policy and structure.

Mr. Mayhew

Negotiations for a Bilateral Agreement have started in Washington, and it would be contrary to the general interest to comment upon them at this stage.

Mr. Platts-Mills

In view of the fact that the whole world now knows, except the people in this country who are limited to reading the British Press, that the Americans have inserted, in the draft they have sent us, these two requirements—that they shall control the rate of exchange and our tariff policy—and are insisting on these two points, is it not high time that the British people were told of these iniquitous terms which the Yankees are asking so that they can back up our negotiators in refusing them?

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member may ask a question, but he may not give reasons for asking it.

Colonel Crosthwaite-Eyre

Is the Under-Secretary aware that the Chancellor of the Exchequer gave me a specific assurance that in no circumstances would power be given under this agreement for the Americans to interfere with the rate of exchange? Does his answer mean that what the Chancellor said some three weeks ago is untrue?

Mr. Mayhew

No, Sir. My answer means that until this document is published, and while negotiations are in progress, I cannot make any comments.

Colonel Crosthwaite-Eyre

Will the Under-Secretary give an assurance that what the Chancellor of the Exchequer said has not been changed by any subsequent decision?

Mr. Mayhew

Certainly.

Mrs. Leah Manning

Is it not a fact that even the British Press was full this weekend of the difficulties with which Sir Oliver Franks is faced? Is it not a fact that this is giving great alarm to the people, and when, therefore, shall we know what is contained in this document?

Mr. Mayhew

I certainly agree that these are most important issues, but I ask the House not to press for comments while negotiations are going on.

Several Hon. Members

rose—

Mr. Speaker

I think this is engendering too much heat and that we had better get on.