HC Deb 19 May 1966 vol 728 cc1542-3
49. Mr. Whitaker

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will seek to withdraw Imperial preference benefits from the products of South Africa as soon as possible.

Mr. Jay

No, Sir.

Mr. Whitaker

Does not the Board of Trade think it disgraceful that a country which is continually violating our sanctions against Rhodesia continues to receive preference benefit whereas other countries which are observing them do not?

Mr. Jay

I do not think that it is for us to declare unilateral sanctions against South Africa.

Mr. Barber

Will the right hon. Gentleman confirm that it remains the policy of Her Majesty's Government to increase trade between this country and South Africa as much as possible?

Mr. Jay

Yes, apart from the trade in armaments.

Mr. Rankin

Since South Africa is outside the Commonwealth, why should she enjoy Commonwealth preferences?

Mr. Jay

So are Burma and Ireland, and they enjoy them, too.

Dr. Gray

Is my right hon. Friend aware that many hon. Members on this side of the House think that the time has come to apply stronger pressures to South Africa in view of her support for the illegal Smith régime in Rhodesia?

Mr. Jay

That is a wider question than the question of preferences.

Mr. J. H. Osborn

Will the right hon. Gentleman confirm that South Africa is our fourth largest customer? Does he see our trade being such that South Africa will continue to be our fourth largest customer?

Mr. Jay

Certainly it is a large customer.

Mr. Henig

Would my right hon. Friend be prepared to have a thorough investigation made of the logic of Commonwealth preference in view of what he has just said about countries which are no longer members of the Commonwealth benefiting from that preference?

Mr. Jay

I have made such an investigation since I saw my hon. Friend's Question, but I am not satisfied that there is any need for change.