§ 58. Sir C. Osborneasked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the fact that every year since 1950 the United States of America has exported goods to Great Britain of a greater value than those she has bought from Great Britain, and yet imposes a 30 per cent. tariff against British goods, so preventing the earning of United States dollars, if he will approach the United States Government for a special reduction in tariff in order that Great Britain can earn the dollars to pay for the F111 which the United States of America wants to sell to this country; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MasonThe American tariff ranges from much less than 30 per cent. on some goods to much more on others.
As the hon. Member will be aware, we are engaged in negotiations in G.A.T.T. for the general reduction of protective tariffs in the Kennedy Round. I would refer the hon. Member to the statement which my hon. Friend made on the progress of the negotiations on 17th February. We hope for a successful conclusion to these negotiations which should be of great assistance to our exporters in increasing their earnings of United States dollars.
As regards the question of payment for the F111, my right hon. Friend the Minister of Defence made a statement on this 139W subject on 22nd February to which I would refer the hon. Member.