§ 13. Dr. Strossasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has noted the increasing quantities of earthenware and china imported into Australia from Western Germany, Sweden, Italy and Japan during 1954; and what action he proposes to take to enable British manufacturers to sell more British goods generally, and pottery in particular, in Australia.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftThese countries supplied 4 per cent. of Australia's total imports of earthenware and china in 1953 and 8 per cent. in 1954, compared with 94 per cent. and 90 per cent. respectively from the United Kingdom. Subject to an upper limit on imports of chinaware, tiles and other specified goods from Japan, Australian importers are free to use their quotas for imports from any non-dollar source. United Kingdom manufacturers thus have full opportunity to compete for the available market.
§ Dr. StrossIs it fair to say that we tend to buy very much less from Australia than Australia buys from us? Can the President say whether it is now not possible for any trading negotiations to be conducted between Britain and any Commonwealth country?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftI think it would be hard to secure any trade arrangement which gave us a better chance than getting between 90 and 94 per cent. of the market. I think we had better be satisfied with the situation as it exists.