HC Deb 17 May 1960 vol 623 cc1077-8
15. Mr. Rankin

asked the President of the Board of Trade what progress he has made in his negotiations to expand trade with Japan.

Mr. Maudling

These negotiations are still in progress and I am not yet in a position to make a statement.

Mr. Rankin

Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that they have been taking a very long time, and may we assume that there is no danger of a further hold-up or suspension of these trading negotiations? Could the right hon. Gentleman say whether some of these difficulties are arising from the fact that Japan is seeking better quotas for those of her exports which are not on open general licence?

Mr. Maudling

This negotiation is designed to increase the facilities for trade on both sides, which means expanding quotas on both sides, among other things. Being that sort of negotiation, it naturally leads to a good deal of fairly tough bargaining, but we have been making progress.