§ 29. Mr. Russellasked the President of the Board of Trade which duties levied on goods coming from countries outside the proposed Free Trade Area it is permanently impossible to increase by reason of the provisions of Article XXIV, paragraph 5, section B of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithNone, Sir. But we would, of course, still be committed to countries outside the Free Trade Area in respect of duties already bound in our tariff negotiations under the General Agreement.
§ 30. Mr. H. Hyndasked the President of the Board of Trade what will be the effects of the proposed European Free Trade Area on British trade with Commonwealth countries.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithI see no reason why the industrial Free Trade Area we have proposed should adversely affect our trade with other Commonwealth countries.
§ Mr. HyndWhilst wishing this new proposal well, may I ask whether it would not mean that goods from the countries in the European Common Market would get more easily into the Commonwealth and thereby affect British trade?
§ Mr. Walker-SmithWhat is proposed is an industrial Free Trade Area in Europe. The bulk of our Commonwealth trade would be excluded from its scope under the proposed exclusion of agriculture and foodstuffs.
§ 31. Mr. H. Hyndasked the President of the Board of Trade what safeguards for British industry and agriculture will be embodied in the proposed treaty for a European Free Trade Area, and what protection or compensation will be provided for any workers who may be displaced.
§ 37. Mr. Fellasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give an assurance that Britain will not agree to enter the Common Market unless agricultural products and food are expressly excluded from the arrangements.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithDetailed negotiations have not yet begun and I cannot at this stage add to the statement of the 198 Government's general approach as set out in the Memorandum to O.E.E.C. (Cmnd. 72). The Memorandum clearly stipulates that agricultural products and food should be excluded from the scope of the proposed industrial Free Trade Area.
§ Mr. HyndIn the pending negotiations, will the right hon. and learned Gentleman bear in mind the valuable experience gained in connection with the Coal and Steel Community, where certain safeguards have been successfully operated?
§ Mr. Walker-SmithYes, Sir. I am sure that we shall have the experience of the Coal and Steel Community in mind.
§ Mr. FellMay I ask my right hon. and learned Friend two questions? Will it not be difficult for the Chancellor of the Exchequer to guide and co-ordinate the working party with regard to agriculture, in which he will be representing a country in a minority of one? Secondly, is my right hon. and learned Friend aware that there are countries throughout the length and breadth of the Commonwealth that would like him to give a categorical assurance today on the question of agriculture and food?
§ Mr. Walker-SmithAs to the second part of that question, I do not think I can usefully add to the Answer which I have already given. In regard to the first part, I have every confidence in the capacity of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor in this and all other matters.
§ Mr. FellIn view of the quite unsatisfactory lack of assurance in reply to my Question, I give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.