HC Deb 05 July 1955 vol 543 cc936-8
20. Mr. Holt

asked the President of the Board of Trade if Her Majesty's Government have yet decided to sign the agreement to establish the Organisation for Trade Co-operation drawn up at the last session of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade.

Mr. Low

As was announced in the Statement of Policy regarding the review of the G.A.T.T. (Command Paper 9413), Her Majesty's Government propose to sign, at the appropriate times, the Protocols of Amendments to the General Agreement and the agreement on the Organisation for Trade Co-operation. The Protocols of Amendments are open for signature till the 15th November, 1955, and we shall arrange for their signature by that date. No date has been fixed for signature of the agreement on the Organisation for Trade Co-operation. The Government will decide when to sign it in the light of developments in the consideration of this agreement by the United States Congress.

Mr. H. Wilson

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Government intend out of their time to provide facilities for a debate on this matter before it is finally concluded? Will he look at the precedent of the original G.A.T.T. in this connection, as when that was drawn up there was a full debate in this House before we entered the commitment?

Mr. Low

I will certainly look at that although I do not think it is a matter for me but for the Leader of the House.

24. Captain Duncan

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many countries have ratified the recent General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade agreement.

Mr. Low

Canada, the U.S.A., Greece and Germany ad referendum, have signed the two Protocols amending the substantive provisions of the G.A.T.T. The Agreement for the Establishment of an Organisation for Trade Co-operation has been signed by Greece, by the U.S.A. subject to approval by Congress, and by Germany and Turkey ad referendum.

The U.S.A., Greece and Germany ad referendum, have signed the Protocol of organisational amendments which are consequential upon the establishment of the Organisation for Trade Co-operation.

Captain Duncan

While thanking my right hon. Friend for that complicated answer, may I ask if he is aware that we are anxious to proceed with this matter so that we can take advantage of Article VI and Article XVI in the flax industry and the horticultural industry?

Mr. Low

I have explained the Government's policy on that aspect of the matter in answer to an earlier Question.

Commander Agnew

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the real need of urgency in dealing with this matter, because at the present time first-class carrots grown in the Vale of Evesham are fetching only 1d. a bunch because of the very severe competition from Algeria?

Mr. Low

As my hon. and gallant Friend knows, that is another question.