§ Lord Graham of EdmontonMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the first Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether there are any plans to arrange a conference to consider the operation of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT); and whether they have decided what issues they would like to see on the agenda.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Lucas of Chilworth)My Lords, Her Majesty's Government are working with their Community partners to get the proposed new round of multilateral trade negotiations launched as soon as possible. The agenda should include all aspects of world trade on which GATT members wish for new or improved internationally-agreed rules.
§ Lord Graham of EdmontonMy Lords, I am grateful to the Minister for that reply. I should like to ask him whether he is aware of the damaging impact on the British film laboratory industry of the import into this country of used film prints. In the interests of protecting British industry and British workers and jobs, will the Government consider proposing, at any future meeting of GATT, a levy in order to protect vital British interests in a time of recession and job losses?
§ Lord Lucas of ChilworthMy Lords, I am grateful to the noble Lord, Lord Graham of Edmonton, who indicated to me the area of his concern. I should perhaps remind the noble Lord that negotiations in GATT are usually aimed at reducing rather than increasing barriers to imports. In the particular case which he instances, I am not aware that the British film processing laboratories regard imports of used film print as a problem. Certainly no representations have been made to my department. However, if the noble Lord knows of a specific instance, and will inform me of it, I shall be very glad to look into it.
§ Lord BottomleyMy Lords, as one concerned with the original negotiations on the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, may I ask the Minister whether he does not agree that there has been a drift away from policies consistent with the GATT principles? In these circumstances, does he not agree that there is a need for a further round of multi-trade negotiations?
§ Lord Lucas of ChilworthMy Lords, the House will of course recall the interest of the noble Lord in this 902 matter some short while ago. I cannot agree with him that there is any drift away from the principles, but I would certainly agree with him that it is necessary to get a new round under way as soon as practicable.
§ Lord BottomleyMy Lords, will the noble Lord take it from me that the last report of GATT said exactly what I have said about the drift away from principles?
The Viscount of FalklandMy Lords, is the noble Lord the Minister aware that this week there were the British Film Institute awards? Following on what the noble Lord, Lord Graham of Edmonton, was saying—and I should like to add that both he and I were present at these awards—Sir Richard Attenborough drew attention to the fact that since the start of British Film Year there has been an increase of 50 per cent. in film attendances, and that the British film industry is making enormous efforts and showing great enthusiasm. Will the Government bear in mind on their side, in any future talks as regards importations of film and video cassettes and so on, that it is necessary to protect this very encouraging momentum in the industry?
§ Lord Lucas of ChilworthMy Lords, I am grateful to the noble Viscount for reminding the House of the upsurge in the film industry's business. However, I have to say that Her Majesty's Government are opposed to any protectionist measures. We believe that the reduction of barriers to trade is all-important for world trade, the world economy and indeed our own economic future.
Lord Bruce of DoningtonMy Lords, is the noble Lord aware that the very worthy sentiments that he has just uttered in practice affect manufacturing industry only? Is he further aware that in fact one of the difficulties in negotiating satisfactory reductions in tariff barriers is the protectionist agricultural policy in Europe, which has forced up prices to the consumer and which is one of the principal reasons why it is impossible for the noble Lord to do anything other than give ground when it comes to ordinary manufacturing industry, trade imports and exports in this country?
§ Lord Lucas of ChilworthMy Lords, I really cannot accept that it is necessary to give ground. The forthcoming GATT round will undoubtedly be concentrating on some of the matters that the noble Lord raises.
§ Lord Graham of EdmontonMy Lords, may I say to the Minister that I understand that in any GATT negotiations there can be very sensitive issues, and swings and roundabouts obviously play their part. If in fact the idea of a levy to protect this particularly vulnerable British industry does not commend itself to the Minister—bearing in mind what I think were his hopeful remarks in the final part of his first response—will he be prepared not only to receive representations from me but also to see representatives of the British film laboratory industry in order to see if there are any other ways in which he and his colleagues can assist?
§ Lord Lucas of ChilworthMy Lords, in isolation the matter of levies is not attractive to us. In regard to the second point made by the noble Lord, of course I should be very glad to meet them and to do what I can to help if the problem can be clearly identified.