HC Deb 14 February 1956 vol 548 c2154
22. Mr. Willey

asked the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made in the negotiations with the Danish Government about supplies of Danish bacon.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

The negotiations are still in progress and I cannot therefore add at present to the Answers which I have already given on this subject.

Mr. Willey

Is the President of the Board of Trade aware that these discussions are proceeding on the basis of a 10 per cent. food tariff, to be met by retaliatory duties on British exports to Denmark? Will he at once intervene and see that these discussions do not proceed on that retrograde basis?

Mr. Thorneycroft

I have no comment to make on the basis upon which the discussions are proceeding. I merely say that they are going on, and no useful purpose would be served by debating them while they are in progress.

Forward to