§ 11. Captain Duncanasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade negotiations held last month.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftThe contracting parties are still engaged in their review of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade. Pending the outcome of these discussions, I do not think that I can usefully make any statement about their progress.
§ Captain DuncanWhen does my right hon. Friend think that he will be able to make a statement? These negotiations have been going on for a long time.
§ Mr. ThorneycroftIt is a very large subject. I think that the discussions will go on for another three or four weeks.
§ Mr. Hector HughesIs the right hon. Gentleman aware of the important bearing which G.A.T.T. has on emigration from Jamaica and other Colonies to this country, and will he have it considered in that light? I want an answer to that.
§ Mr. ThorneycroftI think that the hon. and learned Gentleman is trying to bring in a Question which was dealt with a little earlier.
§ Mr. Beresford CraddockCan my right hon. Friend say whether in these negotiations that are going on everything is being done to try to increase Empire trade?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftI would rather not comment at all on these negotiations. We are in the middle of them and it is generally accepted by the House that it is unwise to express general comments at this stage.