§ 21. Mr. John H. Osbornasked the Secretary of State for Trade what initiatives he will now take with the new Administration of the United States of America to improve trade between the United States of America and Great Britain and provide better opportunities for British exporters.
§ Mr. DellI made a speech in New York a week ago, during which I indicated some areas in which our trading relationships might be improved. I have put copies in the Library of the House.
§ Mr. OsbornI was hoping for a more general report. Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether future negotiations will be bilateral or within the context of the EEC which is making purchases? There are obstacles, including tariffs and quotas, and in particular quota restrictions on steel. Will the right hon. Gentleman give the House the latest position?
§ Mr. DellWe have just discussed the subject of steel, and as a Community we have made strong representations on the subject of special steels. I referred to this matter in a recent speech and on other occasions. We have discussed this 1875 matter recently in bilateral talks with the United States Government, and we shall also be discussing these matters in the context of the multilateral trade negotiations.
§ Mr. PowellDoes not the right hon. Gentleman agree that economic opportunities in the United States are of importance to all parts of the United Kingdom, not only to Great Britain?
§ Mr. LoydenWhat progress, if any, has been made towards reaching international agreement on standards for motor cars, bearing in mind recent events in the United States which may well be to the detriment of the British car industry?
§ Mr. DellMy hon. Friend will know that this subject arises in a number of parts of the world. We shall take up with the United States Government, and indeed with any other Government, the standards that tend to operate as non-tariff barriers against our exports.
§ Mr. AdleyAs President-elect Carter has shown himself such a keen exponent of pursuing the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, will the Secretary of State find out whether Mr. Carter has read the Coleman Report on Concorde, and, if he has not, will he invite him to do so? Will he also ask Mr. Carter whether his future pronouncements on Concorde will be based on fact rather than fancy and prejudice?
§ Mr. DellI am sure that the President-elect of the United States will take seriously the evidence at Dulles Airport, Washington, in regard to arrivals and departures of Concorde which are acceptable on environmental grounds.