HC Deb 10 June 1952 vol 502 cc4-5
4. Mr. Beresford Craddock

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has now completed his examination of our future external commercial policy; and what decision has been reached.

5. Mr. Russell

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will now make a statement on the attitude of Her Majesty's Government towards the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

As I indicated on 8th May in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Preston, North (Mr. J. Amery), this examination raises fundamental and complex questions of economic policy. It is unlikely that I shall be in a position to make any further statement before the Summer Recess.

Colonel Gomme-Duncan

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that nobody apparently wants this Agreement because nobody is trying to ratify it? Is not that a very good reason for starting the business of getting rid of it altogether as far as the Empire is concerned?

Mr. S. Silverman

Does the right hon. Gentleman not realise—it is not at all a difficult conception—that it is quite ludicrous that this country should remain in its present condition and continue to try and force its products into those markets that quite clearly do not want them and will do their best to keep them out while half the world is waiting to receive them?

Mr. Thorneycroft

There may be specific arguments for departing from the policy pursued by this country for the past six years, but at the same time, before we make alterations of a dramatic character affecting many people besides ourselves, very careful consideration should be given to the course we adopt.