HC Deb 25 July 1957 vol 574 cc71-2W
Mr. Hirst

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether a reply has yet been received to the memorandum handed to the United States Ambassador on 31st May regarding the size of the duty quota for 1957 for woollen fabrics entering the United States of America.

Sir D. Eccles

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs has received the following replyThe Government of the United States has given consideration to the request of the Government of the United Kingdom, contained in its memorandum of 30th May, 1957, for reconsideration of the decision on the size of the 1957 tariff quota on certain woollen fabrics. This tariff quota was imposed under terms of the note to item 1108 of Part I of Schedule XX of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade. In arriving at the decision regarding the 1957 tariff quota, which was announced by the President on 24th May, 1957, the United States Government carefully considered all facts and views presented by the interested parties as to the appropriate size of the tariff quota. While appreciating fully that the tariff quota may be causing problems for exporters in the United Kingdom and other countries, as well as for importers in this country, the United States Government sees no feasible basis for revising the decision so recently made. Recognizing the many and varied concerns expressed over the operation of the tariff quota on woollen fabrics, the United States Government intends, at an appropriate time, to make a complete appraisal of all aspects of the operation of this tariff quota. It is hoped that this study of actual experience under the tariff quota would enable this Government to determine future actions with regard to the tariff quota which would best serve the interests of all concerned.

My right hon. Friend has indicated to the United States Ambassador that Her Majesty's Government are greatly disappointed that the United States Government should still find themselves unable to increase the size of the tariff quota for this year. He has asked that the full review of the operation of the quota, which the United States Government have undertaken to carry out, should not be long delayed.