§ 87. Mr. Greenasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make a statement about the agreement on iron and steel tariffs between the United Kingdom and the European Coal and Steel Community.
§ Sir D. EcclesUnder an agreement signed on 25th November and laid before the House today, the United Kingdom duties on the main iron and steel products are to be reduced to 10 per cent., with alternative specific rates; the countries of the European Coal and Steel Community will, for their part, introduce new rates which, in some cases, will mean substantial reductions. Our obligations under the agreement become effective when all the signatory countries have ratified, and the necessary Orders to give effect to the new United Kingdom duties will then be introduced.