Cuban Cigars

HC Deb 17 February 1959 vol 600 cc172-3

5. Mr. Fisher

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the recent extension of the Anglo-Cuban trade agreement and the increased quota for Cuban cigars for which it provides, the Government will have more regard in future arrangements of this sort to the desirability of increasing United Kingdom trade with the Caribbean Colonies.

Mr. Vaughan-Morgan

I can assure my hon. Friend that we do pay great attention to our trading relationships with all the dependent territories and that we shall continue to do so.

Mr. Fisher

While that is welcomed, would my hon. Friend not agree that we have a direct responsibility to our own Colonies which should be reflected in our trade policy, and that by steadily increasing the Cuban cigar quota we must be steadily reducing our cigar industry in Jamaica?

Mr. Vaughan-Morgan

In the case of the Anglo-Cuban trade, we must look at the problem as a whole rather than at any particular effect on an industry.

6. Mr. Fisher

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, when the present trade agreement with Cuba comes to an end, the Government will consider a reduction in the quota for Cuban cigars in the interests of the cigar industry in Jamaica.

Mr. Vaughan-Morgan

The Agreement is for the next three years. It is too early to say in what terms it will be renewed.

Mr. Fisher

Would my hon. Friend agree that the steady rise in Cuban cigar quotas from 500,000 dollars in 1952 to 1 million dollars worth in 1958 and a prospective 1½ million worth in 1961 must be prejudicial to the Jamaican cigar exports to this country and also to employment in the cigar industry in Jamaica?

Mr. Vaughan-Morgan

It is an open market and it is for the consumer to decide what particular cigar he wants to use.

Mr. H. Wilson

Since the hon. Gentleman will be aware that a Conservative Opposition spokesman in July, 1951, denounced the first arrangement for Cuban cigars as "a black pact", will the hon. Gentleman explain to his hon. Friend that if we do not bring Cuban cigars into this country Cuba will not have the currency to pay for the arms which the Foreign Secretary was so anxious to send to Cuba?