HC Deb 02 July 1963 vol 680 cc180-1
18. Sir G. Nabarro

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will now make a statement concerning the future of the Board of Trade Jute Control, having regard to recent proceedings in the Restrictive Practices Court.

Mr. Erroll

I am conducting a general review of policy in regard to jute and jute goods in the light of the court's judgment and other factors. The issues are complex and it will be some time before I can make a statement.

Sir G. Nabarro

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that his habits of conducting bulk purchase and artificially raising prices of Indian jute goods brought into this country to the detriment of carpet manufacturers and others has been roundly condemned by the Restrictive Practices Court? Does he think that his Department is above the law? Did not his predecessor create the Restrictive Practices Court? Why does not he now obey the dictates of that court as a private enterprise commercial operator would have to do?

Mr. Erroll

The situation is not quite so simple as my hon. Friend suggests in his supplementary question. It is because of the difficulties which he has pointed out that I am conducting a general review.

Mr. Strachey

Will the President of the Board of Trade recognise that if he did obey the dictates of the court he would have a tragic unemployment problem on his hands in Dundee, and will he think very carefully of the vital interests of Dundee before he does anything of the sort?

Mr. Erroll

It is important not to exaggerate in either direction. I shall, of course, take into account the fact that Dundee is already a development district.