HC Deb 21 February 1956 vol 549 cc170-1
6. Mr. Russell

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what restrictions or regulations, other than Customs duties, still apply to imports from foreign countries.

Mr. H. Macmillan

This information is given in detail in Part 2 of the Customs and Excise Tariff, a copy of which is in the Library. If there is any matter on which my hon. Friend would like particular information, perhaps he would let me know.

Mr. Russell

Can my right hon. Friend say whether it is still the policy of the Government that as much as possible should be bought from Commonwealth countries. If so, how does he propose to persuade importers to carry out that policy?

Mr. Macmillan

That is a broad matter of policy which is implemented by preferences and other methods. As to the details for which he has asked, my hon. Friend will find them in accordance with my Answer.

Mr. Beswick

I agree with the hon. Member for Wembley, South (Mr. Russell) about the desirability of increasing trade with Commonwealth countries, but is the Minister aware that there is another restriction which is not included in the list to which he refers, namely, the political restriction of imports from Eastern Germany, with which country we could do a useful two-way trade if a different attitude were adopted? Would the Chancellor of the Exchequer look into that aspect of the matter?

Mr. Macmillan

I am always ready to look into anything, but I understand that a certain amount of trade is already going on in that direction.

21. Mr. Bottomley

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he now proposes to take to stop the continuing increase of imports over exports.

Mr. H. Macmillan

I would refer the right hon. Member to the statement which I made on 17th February and the amplification in my speech yesterday.

Mr. Bottomley

I put my Question last week to the President of the Board of Trade, hoping to get a reply before the Chancellor's statement. We are aware that the Chancellor of the Exchequer takes his instructions from the Lord Privy Seal. Are we now to assume that Questions to the President of the Board of Trade must first be answered by the Chancellor of the Exchequer?

Mr. Macmillan

No, Sir. I think that the right hon. Gentleman's assumptions are not really seriously made. He has made his little joke. We had a good debate yesterday on these matters, and we are to have another one today.