§ 20. Lieut.-Colonel Schofieldasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the recent unanimous decision by the inter-Sessional Committee at Geneva that no discriminatory safeguards should be introduced against the possible 175 consequences of Japan's admission to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, the United Kingdom will oppose Japan's application for membership to that organisation.
§ Mr. MackesonThe report which my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind does not constitute a decision, and, while recommending that Japan should not be singled out as the one country against which there should be special safeguards, does envisage the possibility of discriminatory action against any country, including Japan, whose competition caused violent disruption of trade.
As regards Her Majesty's Government's policy in this matter, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given on 19th February to my hon. Friend the Member for Wembley, South (Mr. Russell).
§ Lieut.-Colonel SchofieldDoes not my hon. Friend agree that Japan's admittance to G.A.T.T. would mean that she would then be able to claim a right to most-favoured-nation treatment, which was denied to her under the Japanese Peace Treaty, and by that means re-open the door to renewed Japanese cut-throat competition?
§ Mr. MackesonMy hon. and gallant Friend had better put that Question down.
§ Mr. HaleIs the Secretary for Overseas Trade aware that this is an exceedingly important matter and that it is a little unfair to the House to keep referring back to previous statements? Cannot we be told whether Her Majesty's Government have considered this very important matter and come to any decision as to the line they propose to take in regard to the admission of Japan either to G.A.T.T. or U.N.O.? What instructions are they to give to their representatives?
§ Mr. MackesonThis Question refers to a "decision" which in fact is not a decision, and I have nothing to add to the statement made by my right hon. Friend last week.