§ 4. Mr. J. Lewisasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the intentions of His Majesty's Government in regard to the relaxation on import restrictions as a result of the failure on the part of other Organisation for European Economic Co-operation countries to reciprocate our measures for the liberalisation of intra-European trade; and if he will report on discussions which have recently taken place.
§ Mr. H. WilsonAt its recent meeting the Council of O.E.E.C. agreed that member countries should adopt the objective of removing quantitative restrictions before 15th December, 1949, at latest, on at least 50 per cent. of their total imports on private account from the other member countries as a group, in the respective fields of food and feeding-stuffs, raw materials and manufactured goods counted separately. If any member country feels unable, in the light of its economic and financial position, to implement this decision fully, it is required to report its reasons to the Organisation before 15th December, 1949. We must clearly await the response of other countries to this latest decision.