§ 9. Sir C. Osborneasked the President of the Board of Trade since the trade gap for May was £82 million, compared with £24 million in April, and is the largest since October, 1960, and since exports to the United States of America for 1960 were £322 million, a fall of 10 per cent. on 1959 while imports were £567 million, an increase of 53 per cent. on 1959, what new steps he is taking to restrict imports from the United States of America, particularly of tobacco, so as to help the balance of trade; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MaudlingI do not think that we should attempt to draw conclusions from one month's figures or to consider the balance of our trade in terms of exports to and imports from any particular country. We must seek the remedy for our present problems in the expansion of exports rather than the restrictions of imports.
§ Sir C. OsborneIn view of the fact that we are buying so much more from America than America is buying from us, why should we not use our huge purchases of American tobacco as a bargaining power to compel the Americans to reduce their tariffs against our exports? Would not that be a better 184 policy than allowing President Kennedy to bulldoze us into the European Common Market?
§ Mr. MaudlingAt the moment we are negotiating in the G.A.T.T. for tariff reductions with the United States and with the European Community, but one must look at the long-term picture, and over the past decade our exports to America have more than doubled, whereas their sales here have increased by about only 50 per cent.
§ Sir C. OsborneIn view of the very unsatisfactory nature of that reply, I shall, with your permission, Mr. Speaker, seek to raise it on the Adjournment.