HC Deb 16 July 1959 vol 609 c585
60. Mr. Fisher

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement about the citrus trade negotiations with the West Indies.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

Certainly: I hope to make a statement very soon but cannot do so today.

Mr. Fisher

Will my right hon. Friend agree—I am sure he will—that the implementation of the dollar trade liberalisation policy will be disastrous to the West Indies citrus industry, and, in order to mitigate its effects, will the Government at least give a preferred position in the United Kingdom market to the West Indies industry as compared, for instance, with Spain or the United States?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I do not dispute that, if it were fully implemented in respect of the citrus trade, it would have very serious consequences; but I would rather not anticipate my fuller Answer later.