§ 20. Mr. Rankinasked the President of the Board of Trade if, during the forthcoming review of United Kingdom trading arrangements, he will take steps to remove the special discrimination now applying to imports from the State trading countries so as to enable United Kingdom manufacturers to take fuller advantage of the expansion taking place in those markets.
§ Mr. ErrollNo general review of our trading arrangements with State trading countries is contemplated. Control must be maintained over our imports from these countries since their Governments control all imports from the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. RankinThe Question does not deal specifically with trading arrangements with State trading countries. It deals with the general trading arrangements for the United Kingdom. Does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that the Prime Minister was recently in Canada? Did he not talk there about dollar trading arrangements? Are we 624 not talking about arrangements in connection with the Common Market and the Commonwealth? Does the right hon. Gentleman think that while we are seeking to improve our trade it will be helpful to exports if we impose controls, not only on imports from certain countries, on which I agree they should be imposed in order to preserve employments here, but further to limit imports from State trading areas, in view of the repercussions which may follow from that policy?
§ Mr. ErrollIt does indeed help our exporters if by controlling imports from State trading countries we are thereby able to bargain for increased exports to those countries.
§ Mr. RankinIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the Answer, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.