HC Deb 19 March 1964 vol 691 cc1579-80
37. Mr. Jay

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development what preparations Her Majesty's Government are making for the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development to be held at Geneva from 23rd March; and what proposals Her Majesty's Government will make at that Conference.

Mr. du Cann

Her Majesty's Government have taken a full part in the preparatory work, and intend to take a constructive part in the conference itself. The United Kingdom delegation will lay particular stress on the importance for the trade of the developing countries, and for world trade generally, of wider access to markets and the removal of barriers to trade.

Mr. Jay

Is the Minister aware that a large number of under-developed countries have put great faith in this conference in Geneva? Can he say what practical steps the Government are to take there to see that other industrial countries do at least as much as this country is doing to buy products, both primary and manufactured, from less-developed countries?

Mr. du Cann

I agree with what the right hon. Member said in the first part of his supplementary question. Great hopes have been expressed—I hope not too great—for the success of this Conference and we shall work for its success. Her Majesty's Government take the view that we have done a great deal to open our markets for manufactured goods not least from the Commonwealth. What is important is that other countries should follow that example. My right hon. Friend is at present engaged in discussions with Commonwealth trade Ministers.

Sir C. Osborne

Can my hon. Friend send to the right hon. Member for Battersea, North (Mr. Jay) a copy of the resolution proposed by the British delegation at the I.P.U. Conference in Belgrade last September, which stresses the importance of raising and stabilising the prices of raw materials as the best way of helping those countries? These proposals were accepted by his Department.

Mr. du Cann

This obviously is a very important matter and one which will be very much discussed. I think many people who follow these affairs, as I know my hon. Friend does, have been gratified by the recent increase in commodity prices.

Mr. O'Malley

Will the Government in preparation for this conference consider existing restrictive agreements, particularly the agreement made in December, 1962, in Paris by the British steelmakers, which is adversely affecting British exports? Will the Government look at this and bring up the subject at the conference?

Mr. du Cann

I am not certain that I understand or necessarily agree with the point the hon. Member has made, but I shall pay attention to it while not giving the assurance which he seeks.