HC Deb 22 March 1956 vol 550 cc1438-40
6. Captain Orr

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Eireann Government have placed a tariff of 50 per cent. on cables exported from the United Kingdom; what restrictions are placed on imports of cables from Eire; and what representations he has made in this matter.

Mr. H. Hynd

On a point of order. This Question refers to Eire and the Eireann Government. Should it not be the Republic of Ireland?

Mr. Speaker

As long as the sense is intelligible the words are not so very important.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

The following is the reply. Ever since 1934 there has been a duty of 50 per cent. on certain classes of electric cables and wires imported into the Irish Republic from any source. There are no restrictions on imports into the United Kingdom of cables from the Republic. No representations have been made on this matter.

Captain Orr

May I ask my right hon. Friend why not?

Mr. Thorneycroft

Representations have not been made because this is a long-standing part of the Anglo-Irish Trade Agreement, and in fact our exports in 1955 were £229,000 against imports from them of only £18,000.

Mr. Bottomley

Were these arrangements bound under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade?

Mr. Thorneycroft

I think the Republic of Southern Ireland, or Eire as it is called, is not a member of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade.

10. Mr. Chichester-Clark

asked the President of the Board of Trade what preferences are extended to United Kingdom imports by the Eireann Government under the recent official pronouncements; and to what goods they apply.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

For most goods 12½ per cent.; I am sending details to my hon. Friend.

Captain Orr

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that these recent impositions of duty are in accordance with the Anglo-Eire Trade Agreement? Is there any intention of altering the United Kingdom tariffs on imports from Eire?

Mr. Thorneycroft

These recent moves were dictated by Eire's balance of pay- ments position. As far as I can judge, she has made a real attempt to keep within the terms of our agreement with her.