§ 2.59 p.m.
§ The Lord President of the Council (Viscount Whitelaw) rose to move, That a Select Committee be appointed to consider the causes and implications of the deficit in the United Kingdom's balance of trade in manufactures; and to make recommendations.
§ The noble Viscount said: My Lords, the suggestion that the House should appoint a Select Committee on overseas trade was first put forward by the noble Lord, Lord Ezra, in the course of a debate on an Unstarred Question on 10th November last year. Discussions through the usual channels have shown that there is widespread support for the setting up of such a Committee. I have accordingly tabled the Motion in my name. If the House agrees to this Motion, it will be for the Committee of Selection to meet and to propose the names of noble Lords to serve on the Committee. A further Motion will then be brought before your Lordships appointing the Members of the Committee and giving them the necessary powers. It is hoped that the Committee will be able to hold one meeting before the summer Recess and that the whole of the Committee's inquiry will be completed within a year. I beg to move.
§ Moved, That a Select Committee be appointed to consider the causes and implications of the deficit in the United Kingdom's balance of trade in manufactures; and to make recommendations.—(Viscount Whitelaw.)
§ Lord Hatch of LusbyMy Lords, may I for one moment draw to the attention of the noble Viscount the Leader of the House the fact that on many occasions, including that which he mentioned—the debate on the Motion of the noble Lord, Lord Ezra—a 1335 number of us have drawn special attention to the connection between the deficit in our manufacturing trade and trading relations between this country and the third world market, which at present is virtually closed. Can I ask him, when he is giving a remit, as I imagine he will be, to this Committee, to bear in mind especially the relevance of this aspect of the subject?
§ Viscount WhitelawMy Lords, I can answer the noble Lord best by saying that, very naturally, how the Committee proceeds will be a matter for the chairman of the Committee and its members, bearing in mind of course the terms of reference which will be set down for them.
§ Lord WigoderMy Lords, on behalf of my noble friend Lord Ezra I should like to say how much he appreciates the care, courtesy and reception that has been given to his suggestion.
§ On Question, Motion agreed to.