HC Deb 31 January 1963 vol 670 cc1128-30
Q6. Mr. Turton

asked the Prime Minister whether he has yet received an invitation from the Prime Minister of Canada for this country to take part early this year in a conference to consider the reciprocal reduction of tariffs between the Commonwealth, European Economic Community, European Free Trade Association, United States of America, Japan and other like-minded nations; and what reply he has sent.

The Prime Minister

At the last session of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade in October and November, 1962, the Canadian and United States Governments proposed the holding of a General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade Ministerial meeting to consider measures for the expansion of world trade, including the reduction of tariff and other barriers. The Contracting Parties to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade decided to convene such a meeting in the early part of 1963. We welcome this decision.

Mr. Turton

Will my right hon. Friend take the opportunity of this meeting to put forward proposals for the expansion of trade with the Commonwealth and E.F.T.A. countries and with such countries as are willing to make reciprocal trading arrangements with us? Will he also ask the Ministerial meeting to consider whether the rules of G.A.T.T. should not now be revised to permit such reciprocal trading arrangements as have been proposed by Mr. Diefenbaker?

The Prime Minister

Those are very wide questions. The Council meets on 18th February to discuss the date of its meeting and when it takes place all these matters will have to be considered by the Ministers.

Mr. Ridley

Will my right hon. Friend ask the Prime Minister of Canada if, as an earnest of his intentions in this matter, he will open the St. Lawrence Seaway to British shipping and abolish his shipbuilding subsidies?

The Prime Minister

The House knows that we have made representations on this matter, which is very much felt in shipping circles in Britain.

Mr. Stonehonse

Is the Prime Minister preparing for our fullest participation in the world economic conference to be called by the United Nations next year, assuming that he is still in power at that time?

The Prime Minister

This Question is about a conference to meet in the next few months, and we had better concentrate on that first.

Mr. Callaghan

rose

Hon. Members

Hear, hear.

Mr. Callaghan

I am sure that the Prime Minister's followers need something to cheer about after the days of gloom he promised them by saying that he intended to lead them into the next General Election. He should have seen the face of the Leader of the House when he said that.

May I ask the Prime Minister a question about his relationship with Europe and trade in this connection? Does the Prime Minister propose to reconsider the flat turn-down that seemed to be made to suggestions of a trade treaty with the European Economic Community? Is there some ideology which will prevent the Government from entering into such a treaty, and if so, why?

The Prime Minister

That is quite another question. No proposals have been made to us on the question of association in some form or other. This Question dealt with the meeting of the G.A.T.T. conference, and I was explaining that it was intended that it should meet, I hope, as early as practicable during this year.

With regard to the next General Election, I cannot tell, but I shall be happy if the hon. Gentleman is leading his party at it.

Mr. Callaghan

rose

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Callaghan, but strictly arising out of that answer, please.

Mr. Callaghan

Arising out of the Prime Minister's last answer, may I ask whether he is aware that whoever leads our party will be elected by the democratic vote of Labour Members in the House of Commons?

The Prime Minister

It would make it more interesting if, as in the Conservative Party, it was by open and not by secret election.