HC Deb 29 November 1955 vol 546 cc2094-6
10. Mr. Bottomley

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement concerning the proposed meeting in Geneva, on 18th January, 1956, of the member-nations of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

Following the passage last summer by the United States Congress of the Trade Agreements Extension Act, the Contracting Parties to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade have agreed to arrange for further multilateral negotiations for the reduction of the general level of tariffs. These negotiations, in which about twenty-five Contracting Parties, including ourselves and the United States will be taking part, are to open at Geneva on 18th January, 1956. They will take place under substantially the same rules and procedures as previous tariff negotiations under the General Agreement, and the usual procedures for consultation both with industry and with other Commonwealth countries are being followed.

Mr. Bottomley

If we are to have "Trade, not aid," would the President agree that the United States should be asked to stop putting a percentage increase on bids made by British companies?

Mr. Thorneycroft

That raises a rather different question. There is a Question later on the Order Paper which deals with that point.

Captain Duncan

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind the difficulties of the horticultural industry when entering into these discussions?

Mr. Thorneycroft

I shall bear in mind the interests of all industries in the consultations that take place.

Mr. Holt

Is the right hon. Gentleman going to this conference with any positive proposals for reducing tariffs in the United Kingdom?

Mr. Thorneycroft

Request lists are exchanged under this procedure between the countries concerned before negotiations take place.

Mr. Bottomley

May I make it clear to the right hon. Gentleman that there is a difference between the supplementary question which I put to him and the Question on the Order Paper? I asked whether he will make representations to all the contracting parties against the United States procedure on bids?

Mr. Thorneycroft

That raises a different question from the one on the Order Paper, which is concerned with general negotiation on tariff levels.