HC Deb 04 February 1954 vol 523 c536
19. Mr. Russell

asked the President of the Board of Trade what evidence he has of exports from foreign countries which compete with British exports being subsidised directly or indirectly contrary to the principles of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

It is very difficult to obtain evidence of direct subsidy, but some Governments certainly stimulate their exports by indirect subsidies, such as the remission of taxation or of other charges on exporters. The use of such measures or of export subsidies in general is not prohibited by the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, but Her Majesty's Government have been and are taking all possible steps to secure their withdrawal, including in particular discussions in the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation.

Mr. Russell

Has my right hon. Friend's attention been drawn to the production of raisins and the growing of citrus fruit in the United States?

Mr. Thorneycroft

I shall be very happy to consider any examples that my hon. Friend likes to place before me.