§ 9. Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the President of the Board of Trade what Commonwealth imports receive, or will receive, less favourable treatment than corresponding European Free Trade Association and Finnish imports in the United Kingdom market as a result of obligations under the Stockholm Convention, and the association between the European Free Trade Area and Finland; and what proposals he has to remove discrimination in European Free Trade Area markets against oversea Commonwealth countries.
§ Mr. MaudlingThe principal goods which will receive less favourable treatment when imported from the Commonwealth than from the European Free Trade Association countries are motor cars, motor cycles, agricultural tractors, musical instruments, clocks and watches, cinematograph film and goods of silk and man-made fibres. The treatment of Commonwealth goods in other E.F.T.A. countries is a matter for those countries and the Commonwealth Governments concerned.
§ Mr. Biggs-DavisonWill not this become more serious as the industrialisation of the overseas Commonwealth proceeds? While one welcomes the European Free Trade Association and the according of preference to European countries, should not it be governed by the principle of first priority to the Commonwealth?
§ Mr. MaudlingI think that this problem arises from an historical accident. These are the only products subject to duties when they come to this country from the Commonwealth. In fact they represent well under 1 per cent. of our imports from the Commonwealth and there is little competition between the Commonwealth and E.F.T.A. in these matters, although I admit that the problem may increase in future.
§ Mr. JayWhat is the purpose of maintaining these duties on Commonwealth goods? Why should we not take duty-free goods from the Commonwealth?
§ Mr. MaudlingThat is a question for the Chancellor of the Exchequer.