§ Q6. Mr. Bellengerasked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the substantial drop in imports and exports between Canada and Great Britain in January last and the large increase in trade between Canada and the United States of America; and whether he will raise as one of the subjects for discussion with the Canadian Prime Minister at the next Commonwealth Prime Ministers' Conference.
§ The Prime MinisterThe general trend of our trade with Canada in recent years has been upwards, and too much significance should not be attached to a single month's figures. Ways and means of achieving a further increase are under constant review both by ourselves and the Canadian Government. As I told my hon. Friend the Member for Sunderland, South (Mr. P. Williams) last Thursday, Commonwealth trade will 214 certainly be discussed at the next meeting of Commonwealth Prime Ministers.
§ Mr. BellengerWhile appreciating the general trend of the Prime Minister's reply, he is aware, is he not, that there was a considerable drop in the volume of exports and imports as between this country and Canada and that that is a factor to be borne in mind if Mr. Diefenbaker, the Canadian Prime Minister, is going to insist on the terms on which this country enters the Common Market? Surely it is appropriate to remind the Canadian Prime Minister that Canada is directing her trade as she wishes and that Britain should also be given a free hand.
§ The Prime MinisterThose are relevant points, but the way I prefer to look at the matter is this. If all these developments in the world take place, I hope that in the long run they will tend to maximise trade between different groups and countries rather than reduce it.
§ Mr. BowlesMay I ask the Prime Minister to what extent the Government's borrowing from the International Monetary Fund in the middle of last year forced them to surrender, or was a condition of their surrendering, our national sovereignty on entering the Common Market?
§ The Prime MinisterThat question falls to the ground because of its absurdity. These things are not connected at all. In point of fact, one of the satisfactory things of the economic action which the Government have taken over the broad field is that we have repaid so much of the International Monetary Fund money and hope to repay more.