§ 9. Mr. Peartasked the Minister of Agriculture if, in view of the Government's support of the decisions of the Paris Conference, July, 1954, on agricultural marketing, he will make a statement of British agricultural policy towards tariffs and import restrictions on agricultural imports.
Mr. AmoryThe policy of this Government, as of the last, on tariffs and import restrictions on agricultural products must continue to be related to our obligations under the G.A.T.T., which is at present under review by the contracting parties.
§ Mr. PeartIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the British representative at the Paris Conference in July last year, when this new organisation was set up, supported a resolution which laid down that the organisation would seek to create a common market? Indeed, in all the interim discussions there was British support, I assume by this Government, to seek the ideals of a common market. Are 539 we to take it that the Government believe in that policy? Are they going to let down the farmers again, as they have done before?
Mr. AmoryI think the hon. Member must agree that this country has a good record in recent years on liberalisation of imports.
§ Mr. RentonIs my right hon. Friend aware that a European conference two years previously decided that horticultural growers were entitled to protection in their own markets, and that was a growers' conference? Will he state the policy of Her Majesty's Government that our own growers are entitled to such protection?
Mr. AmoryI think my hon. and learned Friend will agree that what we did about a year ago in that respect is evidence of our interest.