HC Deb 10 February 1953 vol 511 c220
64. Sir W. Smithers

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in view of the conclusions reached at the Commonwealth Economic Conference and his declared policy to bring about a world in which trade can move as freely as possible, Her Majesty's Government will now abandon the policy of Imperial Preference.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

No, Sir. I would refer my hon. Friend to paragraph 16 of the Final Communiqué of the Commonwealth Economic Conference (Cmd. 8717).

Sir W. Smithers

Will the Financial Secretary ask his right hon. Friend the Chancellor to read that report again, also the reported speech of a Canadian Minister about a week ago, and also to read his own speech of last Tuesday?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

I am sure my right hon. Friend will be only too glad to meet the suggestion of my hon. Friend.

Mr. Jay

Is not the hon. Member for Orpington (Sir W. Smithers) here guilty of a grave deviation from Conservative policy? Does he intend now to join the Liberal Party?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

I would not like to join issue with the right hon. Gentleman on any question of deviation.