§ 2. Mr. Tilneyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from fellow Governments of the 847 European Free Trade Area Association about the deposits required against imports recently announced by Her Majesty's Government.
§ The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Mr. Frederick Mulley)We have had no formal representations from our European Free Trade Association partners. Discussion of our measures is continuing in the European Free Trade Association Council.
§ Mr. TilneyWhen will the tribunal decide whether our action is legal? Has not the action of Her Majesty's Government undermined the concept of E.F.T.A.?
§ Mr. MulleyI disagree very strongly with that suggestion. As the House has been informed, my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade fully discussed the scheme at the end of the Vienna Conference, and it was generally agreed that we had to take some step about imports and that the measure proposed was perhaps the least damaging in this context. As to the date, I am not sure what the hon. Gentleman means by a tribunal. This question is being discussed in the E.F.T.A. Council. I could not give a date when the Council will conclude that consideration.