HC Deb 05 June 1956 vol 553 c869
34. Mr. Bottomley

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement about the further cut in imports into Australia of British exports.

Mr. Low

The Australian authorities have not announced any change in the present level of import quotas.

Mr. Bottomley

Is the Minister aware that over the last two years the Prime Minister of Australia and Minister of Trade have continually called attention to this, and that recently there were widespread reports in the Press that further import cuts were to be made? This is due to Her Majesty's Government's trade policy. When will they review the matter with a view to helping exporters to send their goods to Australia?

Mr. Low

The right hon. Gentleman knows abo it the trade discussions. There was a report in the Press on 31st May, and I made inquiries about it, but I have not been able to find any confirmation of the proposals mentioned in the Financial Times article, which he probably saw.