HC Deb 19 February 1957 vol 565 cc206-7
44. Mr. G. Jeger

asked the President of the Board of Trade what complaints he has received from British manufacturers over the licensing procedure of Spanish authorities who have not complied with the agreed quota; and what action he has taken.

Mr. Walker-Smith

We have received some complaints from manufacturers whose agents are unable to obtain licences for the import of their goods into Spain. There have, however, been no specific complaints about failure of the Spanish authorities to comply with their commitments in respect of the quotas for 1956.

Mr. Jeger

Does the Minister of State not agree that it is about time that we stopped appeasing the Spanish commercial authorities when we are their best customer and our imports from Spain are perpetually increasing while Spain's imports from us do not show a corresponding increase?

Mr. Walker-Smith

The hon. Gentleman's supplementary question is cast in very wide terms indeed. We are following up with the Spanish authorities any suggestion of under-licensing of the quotas that we have.