HC Deb 26 July 1962 vol 663 cc1708-10
12. Sir C. Osborne

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, as a result of further negotiations, he will now state which main British industries, at present protected by tariffs, will lose that protection if Great Britain enters the Common Market; how many people they employ; if he is satisfied that they are efficient enough to compete without tariff protection; and if he will make a statement

Mr. Erroll

If we join the European Economic Community all tariffs on imports from other Member States will be eliminated in step with the elimination of tariffs on our exports to the rest of the Common Market. These cuts in the British tariff would affect all industries; but the effects would vary from one to another and from product to product, and it would not be practicable to go into detail. British industry as a whole welcomes the prospect of a single market in Western Europe.

Sir C. Osborne

It seems the Minister has not given me the information I asked for. May I ask him this; if we do not go into the Common Market, as seems to be getting likely—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."]—can he say, in view of the Answer he gave to Question No. 8, that 99 per cent. of Commonwealth imports to this country come in free, what negotiations are taking place with Commonwealth Governments to see that our products can go to their markets free of duty, just as their commodities come to our market free of duty?

Mr. Erroll

We are not having negotiations at the moment along the lines suggested by my hon. Friend because we are in the middle of a negotiation for entry into the Common Market. The details of this negotiation axe, of course, discussed in this House from time to time, and I would ask my hon. Friend to address Questions about it to my right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal.

18. Mr. Gresham Cooke

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will now give an up to date estimate showing the total gains and losses of exports and the total increases or decreases in imports expected on an annual basis if the United Kingdom enters the Common Market.

Mr. Erroll

It would not be possible to make a detailed estimate of the kind suggested.

Mr. Gresham Cooke

As the British public has to study this momentous question in the next two or three months, would it not help it to have a breakdown of the figures of our expected exports and imports into Europe and from Europe? As most trades, by now, can estimate what they are to do in the future, would it not be possible and helpful to produce an overall figure of exports and imposts to and from Europe?

Mr. Erroll

If sufficiently accurate figures could be prepared, I agree with my hon. Friend that they would be helpful, but changes in the level of imports and exports if we enter the Common Market would depend on a very wide range of factors, including the level of demand and prosperity, both at home and in our overseas markets. At present, before we enter the Common Market, our exporters are doing well in the countries of Western Europe, and that bodes well for the future.

Mr. Jay

If the President of the Board of Trade is unable to give such an estimate, which is somewhat surprising, would he refer his hon. Friend to some of the estimates made by independent experts, such as Sir Donald MacDougall, and will he and the Lord Privy Seal study these estimates?

Mr. Erroll

I should be glad (to look at any contribution of a constructive nature towards this matter.

Mr. P. Williams

May I ask my right hon. Friend how, if it is impossible to get an exact computation of the balance of advantages and disadvantages, it is possible to say that there are advantages in our going in at all?

Mr. Erroll

It is one thing to say that it is not possible to arrive at an exact computation or forecast about the many uncertain ties of the future, but it is quite another to give a firm opinion about the advisability of our joining the Common Market; but British industry on the whole welcomes the prospect of a single market in Europe, and British firms have been increasing substantially their sales, both last year and this year, in respect of the countries of the Six.

Mr. Jay

Can the right hon. Gentleman give a rough estimate?

Mr. Erroll

A rough estimate would have the disadvantage of not being accurate.