§ 23. Mr. Jayasked the President of the Board of Trade if Her Majesty's Government has considered the opportunities offered to British exports by President Kennedy's Trade Expansion Bill, whether or not the United Kingdom joins the European Economic Community; and if, in the interests of developing trade, he will discuss with the United States Government the possibilities of a joint policy based on this Bill.
§ Mr. ErrollI have of course considered the potential significance for international trade of the legislation which President Kennedy has proposed to the United States Congress, and I shall be glad to join in discussions about it at the appropriate time.
§ Mr. JayAre the Government seriously and realistically considering the possibility of a policy based on that important Bill? Does not the President understand that our bargaining position in Brussels would be much stronger if we were known to be considering alternative policies?
§ Mr. ErrollThe Bill has been passed by the House of Representatives but still has to be considered by the Senate. [Interruption.] Therefore, any detailed discussion of the matter would be inappropriate. [Interruption.]
§ Mr. SpeakerI wonder whether the Minister would be good enough to repeat that answer, Which was difficult to hear because of the interruptions.
§ Mr. ErrollAs I could not hear myself speaking, Mr. Speaker, I am not quite sure what I said. I think I said that the Bill has been passed by the House of Representatives but still has to be considered by the Senate, and therefore I think it would be inappropriate for me to answer the question asked by the right hon. Gentleman.