HC Deb 25 October 1962 vol 664 cc215-6W
Mr. W. J. Taylor

asked the President of the Board of Trade if the terms of the long-term Anglo-Japanese Commercial Treaty have now been agreed; and when he expects the Treaty to be signed.

Mr. Erroll

There are still some matters on which agreement has not yet been reached, but I have no doubt my hon. Friend has noted the hope expressed by the Japanese Prime Minister, which I share, that the Treaty will be concluded during his visit to this country next month.

Mr. Taylor

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he expects to submit the long-term Anglo-Japanese Commercial Treaty to Parliament; and if he intends to publish a White Paper on the subject.

Mr. Erroll

The text of the Anglo-Japanese Commercial Treaty will be laid before the House as soon as possible after it has been signed and I intend to publish an explanatory White Paper at the same time.

Mr. Taylor

asked the President of the Board of Trade what safeguards he proposes to introduce into the long-term Anglo-Japanese Commercial Treaty now being negotiated to protect the wool textile industry of the United Kingdom from unfair trading practices used by Japan.

Mr. Enroll

I have the preoccupations of the wool industry very much in mind in these negotiations, but before the negotiations are concluded I cannot disclose details of what the Treaty will contain.

Mr. Taylor

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will postpone the signing of the long-term Anglo-Japanese Commercial Treaty until after the completion of negotiations for Britains entry into the European Economic Community.

Mr. Erroll

No.