G.A.T.T. (Article XII)

HC Deb 02 June 1960 vol 624 cc148-9W

Mr. Russell

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps were taken by Her Majesty's Government, before renunciation of import restrictions under Article XII of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, to resolve the special problems concerning the citrus, banana, and cigar industries of the West Indies, and similar items of Commonwealth produce vital to the economy of their producing countries but threatened by the overspill of domestic industries in the United States of America, which are protected against foreign competition.

Mr. Erroll

We recognise that special problems arise concerning certain products of interest to the West Indies to which import restrictions still apply. As, however, I explained in my reply to my hon. Friend on 26th May, our balance of payments position had ceased to justify us in invoking Article XII of the G.A.T.T. in respect of these restrictions.