HC Deb 06 July 1954 vol 529 cc1966-8
42 and 43. Mr. Dudley Williams

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) if, before seeking a revision of the terms of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, he will discuss with Commonwealth Governments the effect on their exports to the United Kingdom of imports of fruit from the United States of America under the Mutual Security Act;

(2) if, in seeking a revision of the terms of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, he will bear in mind the effect on the canning industry in the United Kingdom of imports of canned fruit salad from the United States of America under the Mutual Security Act; and what steps he will take to protect the industry.

50 Mr. N. Macpherson

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether he will take steps, by negotiation, to bring into line United Kingdom and United States treatment of imports which receive a subsidy from the Government of the exporting country;

(2) whether, in the course of negotiations on the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, he will make it clear to foreign countries that we will not allow dumping of their surpluses to prejudice established normal trade in Commonwealth products, and that he will take the necessary measures to prevent the dislocation of the home market and of Commonwealth trade by foreign dumping; and

(3) whether he is aware of the recent hardening of opinion in the Dominions, within the sterling area, in favour of the restoration of freedom in the use of preferential tariffs within the Commonwealth; and whether he will seek such freedom in the forthcoming negotiations on the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade in conjunction with the countries concerned.

Mr. Amory

Our objectives in the G.A.T.T. review will not be finally determined until after we have completed an examination of the provisions of the agreement which is currently in progress and until there has been full consultation with Commonwealth Governments on the lines agreed at the meeting of Commonwealth Finance Ministers in Sydney. The general issues raised in these Questions, including the use of export subsidies, will certainly be considered in the preliminary review, and, I should expect, in the consultations with Commonwealth Governments, and I will see that the points raised by my hon. Friends are borne in mind.

Mr. Williams

While I thank my right hon. Friend for his reply, may I ask him to give particular attention to the problems of Australia and South Africa in this connection, because very great concern is being felt in those Dominions?

Mr. Amory

I am sure that all those important matters will be taken into consideration.

Mr. Macpherson

Will my right hon. Friend give an assurance that he will not allow preferences to be frustrated by dumping or subsidies, that he will make this crystal clear at G.A.T.T. and that he will claim the same power to act independently and immediately as that which other Powers exercise?

Mr. Amory

I have already promised that the point raised by my hon. Friend will be borne in mind.

Mr. Bottomley

While recognising that it is in keeping with the policy of the late Government to consult the Commonwealth Governments before decisions are taken, will the Minister of State when at G.A.T.T. draw attention to the fact that the Mutual Security Act replaced Marshall Aid?

Mr. Amory

I will remember that point.