HC Deb 23 April 1959 vol 604 cc589-90
48. Mr. Jay

asked the President of the Board of Trade what reply he has received from the United States Government to representations by the United Kingdom Government on the United States tariff quota on imports of woollen goods.

Sir D. Eccles

The United States decision on this subject was announced on Tuesday. We recognise that the United States Government have made an effort to meet the difficulties of our exporters of the better quality wool. The net result, however, is disappointing, because what has been done in this respect is outweighed by the reduction of the quota as a whole.

Mr. Jay

Is it not exceedingly disappointing that the United States Government should not merely have completely ignored representations from the Prime Minister, but should actually have made this week an even more restrictive decision? Is not this doing great damage to a very important British industry? Will the right hon. Gentleman now say what the Government are going to do?

Sir D. Eccles

I think that the view of the United States Government is that they do not completely ignore our representations and they have made a small gesture towards a better quality wool. It is unfortunate, in our view, that this is not going to help us. We therefore have to continue our representations to them, and they have said that they will review the situation on some long-term basis next year.

Mr. Hirst

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the wool trade, like myself and many colleagues, is appreciative of the strenuous efforts made by Her Majesty's Government this year to represent to the United States Administration the views of the textile trade? Will he also bear in mind that as about 60 per cent. of this tariff quota is already filled at this very moment, that is in the same week as it is announced, and that our share is almost half of what it was two years ago while that of Japan has almost doubled, these efforts at representing United Kingdom views in the interest of our trade relations with America ought to be stressed as strongly as possible?

Sir D. Eccles

Yes, I will.