HC Deb 14 July 1966 vol 731 cc1710-1
50. Mr. Turton

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that the present United Kingdom-Australian Trade Agreement is terminable on six months' notice, he will open negotiations with the Australian Government with the aim of securing a more lasting agreement.

Mr. Jay

It has been agreed hitherto not to re-negotiate this Agreement until the Kennedy Round has been completed.

Mr. Turton

In view of the value of the Anglo-New Zealand agreement, will the right hon. Gentleman make it quite clear to Australia that he would open negotiations for a longer-term agreement if Australia so desired?

Mr. Jay

I fully agree with the hon. Gentleman that the New Zealand Agreement is of value both to us and to New Zealand. We have not so far had a request from the Australian Government for a similar agreement, but if we do we will, of course, consider it.