§ 22. Mr. K. Lewisasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give details of recent easements on the restriction of entry of British manufactured goods into Commonwealth countries; and to what future period these easements refer.
§ Mr. GreenIn October, Australia removed most of her remaining import licensing restrictions; and New Zealand announced new or increased quotas for certain goods for the year beginning 1st July, 1962. In November, Canada removed or reduced the temporary tariff surcharge from certain of the items on which it had been imposed in June. Details were published in the Board of Trade Journal on 26th October and 9th and 23rd November.
§ Mr. LewisWill my hon. Friend seek assurances from Commonwealth countries that in future they will endeavour to refrain from putting total stops on the export of United Kingdom goods to those countries, because the resulting disruption of trade makes it extremely difficult for British manufacturers afterwards to pick up the old trade and go back in again?
§ Mr. GreenI have no doubt that the expressions of regret by Commonwealth countries which have had to impose restrictions for balance of payment 197 reasons are absolutely genuine and that they will not unnecessarily maintain restrictions against our exports.