HC Deb 24 February 1948 vol 447 cc315-6W
70. Mr. W. Fletcher

asked the President of the Board of Trade if the negotiations with U.S.A. on the rubber clause in the Geneva Trade Agreement have now been restarted with the object of restoring the position which was thought to have been achieved at Geneva.

Mr. Bottomley

No. As I explained in reply to a Question on 4th February by my hon. Friend the Member for Swindon (Mr. T. Reid), the legislation which authorises the existing rubber regulations in the United States is due to expire on 31st March. Meanwhile, it would be premature to re-open negotiations on this matter.