HC Deb 13 May 1966 vol 728 cc135-6W
Sir C. Osborne

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the facts that last year Canada sold £250 million more to Great Britain than she purchased and that Canada has enjoyed a big trade surplus for many years, and imposes tariffs much higher upon British goods than the United Kingdom imposes on Canadian goods, if he will make representations to obtain a reduction of Canadian tariffs or impose quotas against Canadian imports; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Darling

There are a number of ways in which we are seeking to reduce the large deficit on our visible trade with Canada. We are laying the main stress on energetic export promotion measures. For the first three months of this year our exports to Canada were 30 per cent. higher than for the same period of 1965 and the deficit on visible trade was substantially reduced. We are in continuous touch with the Canadian Government in an effort to reduce obstacles to the expansion of British exports, particularly in relation to the operation of Canadian anti-dumping legislation.