§ 24. Mr. Haleasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the serious effect of the Congo Basin Treaties on the Lancashire cotton industry, he will discuss with the other United Kingdom Ministers concerned the question of the revision of those treaties.
§ Mr. LowThe Congo Basin Treaties have, for the past 70 years, prevented the Colonial Governments in this area from giving us preferences on cotton textiles and other things, and they have protected our position in countries in this area outside the British Commonwealth. Their revision, if that were practicable, would not by itself help the Lancashire textile industry.
§ Mr. HaleIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that, taking the three East African territories alone, their cotton piece goods imports in the last recorded quarter, as provided by the Cotton Board, were 7½ per cent. from the United Kingdom and 861 over 80 per cent. from India and Japan? In view of the help that we give to these countries and the responsibility we take, surely the time has come when the right hon. Gentleman should look at this matter. There multilateral treaties are not sacrosanct for ever.
§ Mr. LowI am aware of these facts and of the desirability of our exports to East Africa and other places being increased, but I do not think that a revision of the Congo Basin Treaties will necessarily by itself bring about that result.
§ Lieut.-Colonel SchofieldWhat was the point of the Anglo-Japanese Peace Treaty of 1951 denying Japan any rights under the Congo Basin Treaties if, by so doing, it has made no difference at all to Japan's ability still to enjoy the lion's share of the East African market?
§ Mr. LowThat raises a special question on Japan. This question is about the Congo Basin Treaties generally which affect an enormously large number of countries.