§ 23. Mr. Blakerasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what consultations were held between Her Majesty's Government and the Government of Zambia before the latter announced its decision to abolish Commonwealth preference; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BottomleyThe Zambian Government informed us of their decision to introduce a single column tariff which removed our preferences. They maintained this position despite repeated representations.
§ Mr. BlakerIn the course of the consultations which apparently took place before the decision was announced by the Zambian Government, did Her Majesty's Government put forward any practical counter-proposals—for example, for improving Commonwealth trade links—of a kind which might discourage the Zambian Government from taking this step?
§ Mr. BottomleyYes, Sir. I myself saw the Minister of Finance about the proposed changes and suggested to him ways in which we might make improvements in the trade between both countries. This is still being considered.
§ Mr. J. AmeryIs the Secretary of State aware that he and his colleagues 19 are really making themselves ridiculous by getting into the position where they are spending hundreds of thousands of pounds of British money on helping Zambia and getting kicked in the teeth for their trouble?
§ Mr. BottomleyWhat we want to try to do is to bring about the most happy relationships between the two countries. I would suggest that the right hon. Gentleman's behaviour, as usual, suggests that he is trying to stop that.