General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade

HC Deb 16 December 1963 vol 686 c845

35. Mr. Peart

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what bodies he is consulting in preparation for the forthcoming General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade negotiations.

Mr. Soames

I shall shortly be consulting representative bodies concerned with the production of, and trade in, food and agricultural commodities.

Mr. Peart

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that his colleague the Secretary of State for Industry and Trade has, I believe, already consulted trade associations, so will the right hon. Gentleman do everything he can to speed up this matter?

Mr. Soames

This is because the industrial side of the G.A.T.T. meetings is going faster than the agricultural side, but we are keeping pace with them.