§ 11. Mr. Moateasked the Secretary of State for Trade if it is the policy of Her Majesty's Government to work for the ultimate elimination of the common external tariff of the EEC on industrial 10 goods, in the interests of the further liberalisation of world trade.
§ Mr. ShoreYes, Sir. But the immediate task is to work for as large a reciprocal reduction as proves practicable in the current negotiations.
§ Mr. MoateDoes the right hon. Gentleman recall that during the discussions for the preparation of the GATT negotiating position the French Government insisted that for political purposes the common external tariff should not be allowed to fall too far? Do the Government reject this inward-looking attitude and do they expect ultimately to see the elimination of the external tariff?
§ Mr. ShoreI speak for this Government and not the French Government vis-á-vis the future of the common external tariff. The answer to the hon. Gentleman's question is "Yes, we do wish to see the elimination of the tariff in the long term." We now have to consider what is immediately practicable in the forthcoming multilateral talks which we hope will soon be under way.
§ Mr. William HamiltonIs it my right hon. Friend's long-term aim to stay in the Market or to get out of it?
§ Mr. ShoreThat will depend not only on the results of the renegotiations but, as my hon. Friend well knows, on the decision of his fellow countrymen.