European Economic Community

HC Deb 26 June 1962 vol 661 cc944-5

31. Mr. Jay

asked the President of the Board of Trade what discussions he has had with the United States Government in regard to the tariff concessions proposed to be made by both the United States and the Common Market countries through a reciprocal agreement; and what representations he has made to the United States Government and the Common Market countries in regard to an extension of the agreement to exports from the United Kingdom in the event of the United Kingdom not joining the Common Market.

Mr. N. Macpherson

No representations to the Governments concerned are necessary. Under the most-favourednation principle of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, any tariff concessions exchanged between the United States and the European Economic Community are extended to our exports.

Mr. Jay

Is it, then, the fact that if the United States were to make an agreement with the Common Market countries and the United Kingdom were not a member of the Community the tariff reductions made by the United States and the Common Market countries would be automatically extended to British exports?

Mr. Macpherson

Yes, Sir.

Sir C. Osborne

Then what is the point in joining the Common Market?