§ 1. Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will now introduce import controls to cut the flow into the country of imported consumer goods and to encourage their replacement by home-produced commodities.
§ The Minister of State, Board of Trade (Mr. George Darling)There is no need, or justification, for imposing restrictions on trade which would damage our international trading relations and possibly our exports.
§ Mr. RobertsWould my right hon. Friend not agree, however, that bilateral quota agreements are acceptable to G.A.T.T., and that these have been applied successfully by the Japanese Government and, perhaps less successfully by ourselves in certain directions, such as the cotton industry? What steps are the Government taking to negotiate further defensive bilateral agreements of this type?
§ Mr. DarlingAlthough, of course, we must reduce the level of imports if we can, the best way to do this is to help our manufacturers to be more competitive and to take appropriate action to deal with unfair competition which may be directed against us. I am sure that what is needed is fewer restrictions on trade everywhere, so that we can increase our own share of world trade in fair competition.
§ Mr. Wingfield DigbyBut would the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that he has made a thoroughly up-to-date study of quotas in their various possible forms since devaluation?
§ Mr. DarlingWe had a long examination of quotas before devaluation; the effects of devaluation in regard to those inquiries are now going on, of course.