§ 21. Mr. Liptonasked the President of the Board of Trade what action he will take to control inessential imports from the United States of America in order to protect United Kingdom gold and dollar reserves.
§ Mr. MaudlingI do not consider that the restriction of imports would strengthen either our economy or our currency.
§ Mr. LiptonIn view of the quite serious trade gap, does the right hon. Gentleman really think that it is desirable and necessary that a growing number of one-armed bandits and fruit machines costing £300 to £400 each should be imported from America? Is he going to sit idly by and allow this undesirable trade trend to go on without any kind of control?
§ Mr. MaudlingAt a time when we are trying hard to increase the export of inessentials to America, I do not propose to put controls on their sales here.