§ 15. Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent the de facto implementation of the new Part IV of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade has affected, and is expected to affect, the United Kingdom's trade with Commonwealth and other developing countries, respectively.
§ Mr. Biggs-DavisonTo what extent is the United Kingdom's undertaking to give preference to developing countries dependent upon like action to be taken by other developed countries? Will any additional preference be given to developing countries within the Commonwealth?
§ Mr. JayIt is wholly so dependent. I am here in agreement with right hon. Gentlemen opposite, who made the offer previously at Geneva, that we would be prepared to give similar free access to developing countries outside the Commonwealth if other industrial countries would similarly give free access or preference both to developing countries within the Commonwealth and outside. That offer stands and that is our policy. I think it is beneficial to the Commonwealth and to developing countries as a whole.
§ Mr. DellWhat estimate has my right hon. Friend made of the effect on Commonwealth trade of the recent conditional 874 acceptance of the new Part IV G.A.T.T. by Australia?
§ Mr. JayI think this is limited to increased trade with Australia by developing countries, but that is only one element in the matter.
§ Mr. SpeakerMr. Bruce-Gardyne.
§ Mr. Biggs-DavisonOn a point of order. I am sure the President of the Board of Trade wanted to answer the second part of my question, which was whether if such preferences are given to developing countries the Commonwealth developing countries would get additional preference.
§ Mr. JayYes, certainly the Commonwealth developing countries would gain great advantages from the achievements of non-Commonwealth developed countries. That is what we should like to see.