HC Deb 18 March 1958 vol 584 c1074
22. Mr. Lipton

asked the President of the Board of Trade by what amount in dollars the 1958 import quotas from Cuba have been increased.

Sir D. Eccles

Five hundred and twenty-two thousand dollars, Sir.

Mr. Lipton

Having exported less to and imported £10 million more from Cuba in 1957 than in 1956, how can we earn more dollars by trebling, as the last agreement does, these imports, and multiplying by five times the import of citrus fruits? What is the explanation of this mystery, which baffles the Empire Industries Association and many others concerned with Commonwealth trade? If Lord Beaverbrook were dead—which happily is not the case—it would make him turn in his grave.

Sir D. Eccles

No doubt the hon. Member knows that the bulk of our imports from Cuba consists of sugar, which we refine and re-export. We believe that this very small increase in the quotas will assist the two-way trade.

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