§ 22. Mr. Grantasked the President of the Board of Trade, what representations he has received from member nations of the European Free Trade Association on the question of the import surcharge.
§ Mr. JayThe import charge has been the subject of consultation in E.F.T.A. on a number of occasions. At the E.F.T.A. Ministerial Meeting in Copenhagen on 28th and 29th October, other E.F.T.A. countries argued that the removal of the import charge should receive the highest priority. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and I re-affirmed the assurances given earlier by the British Government that the charge would be reduced and removed as soon as the balance of payments situation permitted.