§ 95. Mr. P. Williamsasked the President of the Board of Trade, in respect of the negotiations at Geneva, now proceeding, in relation to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, the highest percentage reduction in existing tariffs which the Government of the United States of America is now prepared to offer in return for concessions by other participating countries, including the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. LowI understand that under existing legislation, the United States Government can reduce to 50 per cent. any rate of duty which is now greater than 50 per cent.: and in any other case can reduce by 15 per cent. the rates in force on 1st January, 1955. The actual offers made by the United States Government in the present tariff negotiations at Geneva are confidential at this stage.