HC Deb 18 July 1950 vol 477 cc2037-8
58. Mr. Russell

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the official pronouncement made by Sir Sidney Caine, British Treasury representative in the United States, that the United States and Britain should lead the way in ending discriminatory trade practices, represents the policy of His Majesty's Government.

Sir S. Cripps

The hon. Member is presumably referring to a much abbreviated newspaper report of an address given by Sir Sydney Caine at a conference on American foreign policy held at an American University in which he referred to the removal, as soon as circumstances permit, of various kinds of discriminatory trade practices which are liable to lead to international friction, as one of the general objectives of international trade policy which can contribute to world security. This is, of course, in accordance with the continuing policy of His Majesty's Government to promote a return to multilateral trade throughout the world.

Mr. Russell

Does that answer mean that His Majesty's Government still stand by the principle of Imperial preference?

Sir S. Cripps

Certainly, Sir.