§ Mr. Russellasked the President of the Board of Trade what consideration he is giving to securing the amendment of international agreements which prevent 102W the Government giving tax relief to United Kingdom exporters; which agreements are involved; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ErrollThe United Kingdom Government have accepted obligations under the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation, the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade and the European Free Trade Association Convention on the use of artificial aids to exports. The Government's policy is to secure the elimination of export subsidies, including those which take the form of reliefs of direct taxation or social security charges. To this end the Government have sought to strengthen the international rules restricting the use of artificial aids to exports. This policy enjoys the support of both sides of organised industry as being in the commercial interest of this country as a major exporting nation.