HC Deb 23 November 1948 vol 458 cc1082-3
60. Mr. Piratin

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will give an assurance that, in signing the recent trade agreement with Japan, His Majesty's Government gave consideration to its effect on our textile trade; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Bottomley

The primary object of the Trade Arrangement recently negotiated between a number of Commonwealth countries and the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers on behalf of Japan was to enable the participating countries to obtain essential supplies against payment in sterling and without recourse to dollars, but the possibility of its having an effect on our own industries was naturally very much in mind. Full information regarding this arrangement, including figures for the United Kingdom and Colonies, has already been released and I do not think it necessary for me to make a further statement.

Mr. Piratin

Can the Minister say whether he had consultations with the textile industrialists in Lancashire and Yorkshire on this matter, and is it not the case that there has been much indignation as a result of this agreement in the northern parts of the country?

Mr. Bottomley

I am not aware of the indignation to which the hon. Member refers. In matters of this kind we always consult with interested parties, but the responsibility finally rests upon His Majesty's Government.

Mr. Piratin

May I have an answer to my question? The question was specific—did the Department actually consult with the textile industry? May I have an answer?

Hon. Members

No.

Mr. Erroll

Does the Minister now deny the statement he made last week to the effect that there was consultation with the textile industry?

Mr. Bottomley

I am neither denying nor supporting this particular thing put in the way in which both hon. Members have questioned me. The answer is that consultations are always taking place with industry on these matters, but if they ask if particular consultations took place on this point, the answer is, "No."

Mr. Platts-Mills

As my hon. Friend says that His Majesty's Government must take full responsibility for this agreement, is he now saying that New Zealanders actually wanted a bargain whereby they were forced to take this Japanese trash made by sweated labour in preference to British textiles?

Mr. Bottomley

The responsibility of the United Kingdom applies to our own part of trade arrangements. Other Commonwealth countries were concerned, and New Zealand was a party to the arrangement.