§ 23. Mr. Juddasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will make a statement on the representations he has received concerning the latest developments in British trade relations with India.
§ Mr. NobleI assume the development the hon. Member has in mind is the notice we have given of termination of the Anglo-Indian Trade Agreement, 1939. Since I announced this on 30th June there have been no formal representations. I have received a small number of letters commenting on the position, but these do not call for any addition to the explanation I have already given the House.—[Vol. 865, c. 152–4.]
§ Mr. JuddTaking these developments into account, together with the misgivings about India's future trading prospects following any extension of the E.E.C. and British accession thereto, could the right hon. Gentleman give the House a solemn assurance that the trading interests of the Indian continent will at all costs be protected should Britain accede to the E.E.C.?
§ Mr. NobleThat is a rather wide question to ask me to accept at this moment; but, as I said, the policy with the Indian Government has been to keep in very close consultation on any matter of this sort which affects them, and so far I have had no complaint from them that their interests have not been considered.