§ 32. Mr. J. Harrisonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the position now reached in the negotiations for the establishment of a European Free Trade Area; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Paymaster-General (Mr. Reginald Maudling)The Ministerial Committee set up to supervise and direct negotiations is pressing forward vigorously with its task.
§ Mr. HarrisonIt would be only polite to thank the Minister for his reply. I want to direct his attention to the effect which the implementation of the Free Trade Area proposals will have on present Purchase Tax arrangements. It seems to me that once the Free Trade Areas proposals are implemented, there must be either a complete cessation or a drastic alteration of all our ideas about Purchase Tax. Will the Minister say what his opinion is on that aspect of the matter?
§ Mr. MaudlingIn so far as that was a question, it did not seem to me to arise from the original Question.