§ 6. Mrs. Barbara Castleasked the President of the Board of Trade what steps have been taken by European countries affected by our new import restrictions to reduce their imports from this country.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftNone, Sir.
§ Mrs. CastleIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that some of our best customers in Europe have been badly hit by these new import restrictions, which have increased their own balance of payments difficulties, and will he keep the House appraised of any retaliatory measures which these countries feel obliged to take?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftThese import cuts were, of course, necessitated by our balance of payments difficulties, but, up to the present, there has been no case of retaliation on the part of our friends on the Continent of Europe.