HC Deb 29 July 1952 vol 504 c1261
39. Mr. Nabarro

asked the President of the Board of Trade what consultations he had with the Eireann Government in regard to revision of import duties into Eire for British manufactured carpets; what is the nature of the revision in tariffs; how far this is in accord with the terms of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade; what reciprocal advantages Britain will now obtain, or otherwise, from the Eireann Government; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

From the 15th July, the Government of the Irish Republic restored the duty on textile floor coverings from 20 per cent. ad valorem to its pre-war level of 40 per cent., which I should add, still gives British exporters a preference of 20 per cent. The Anglo-Irish Trade Agreements of 1938 and 1948 leave the Irish Republic perfectly free to restore this rate without having to consult us. But it is provided in the Anglo-Irish Trade Agreement of 1938 that in such a ease the appropriate means of seeking a revision of the duty is for United Kingdom exporters to ask for, and present a case at, a tariff review in the Irish Republic. The Irish Republic is not a Contracting Party to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade.

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