§ 26. Mr. N. Macphersonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the products of a factory for time-recording instruments, recently established in Trinidad, do not benefit by the British preferential rates of duty when imported into Australia; and what steps he will take in the matter.
§ Mr. LytteltonYes. As this preference was not in force on 15th October, 1946, Australia cannot, under the existing provisions of the G.A.T.T. (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade), to which she is a contracting party, accord it to Trinidad.
On the second part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade on 8th May to Questions by the hon. Members for Spelthorne (Mr. Beresford Craddock) and Billericay (Mr. Braine).