§ Mr. Whitakerasked the President of the Board of Trade to which non-Commonwealth countries, besides Eire, the United Kingdom extends the benefits of Imperial Preference terms of trade.
§ Mr. Whitakerasked the President of the Board of Trade what are the reasons and criteria for continuing Imperial Preference to non-Commonwealth countries other than Eire.
§ Mr. JayWe do this where we consider it to be in this country's overall economic and political interest.
§ Mr. Whitakerasked the President of the Board of Trade what has been the approximate financial benefit to the Republic of South Africa of her continuing to receive Imperial Preference since she left the Commonwealth.
§ Mr. JayThere is no reliable basis for making such an estimate. Since she left the Commonwealth on 31st May, 1961, South Africa has sent us over £900 million of goods of which more than half enjoyed preferences. The preferences we 367W receive are naturally of corresponding advantage to us.
§ Mr. Whitakerasked the President of the Board of Trade on what date it was decided to continue Imperial Preference benefits to the Republic of South Africa; what Commonwealth countries were consulted; and what representations have been received on this matter.
§ Mr. JayAs the then Prime Minister told the House on 22nd March, 1961, the preferential arrangements between this country and South Africa, which affect trade both ways, were and are governed by the bilateral Agreement concluded in 1932, which was unaffected by South Africa's changed status.—[Vol. 637, c. 447.]
Consultations with other Commonwealth countries was not therefore appropriate. They were kept informed of what we proposed to do, and as the then Lord Privy Seal said on 26th February, 1962, there was no hint of criticism from any of them.—[Vol. 654, c. 941.]
So far as I am aware no representations have been received on this matter from Governments. Representations have been received from various bodies and persons in the United Kingdom including the hon. Member himself and other hon. Members, urging the termination of the Agreement. Neither the present Government nor its predecessors have felt that termination was justified, since the Agreement secures valuable advantages for us. South Africa gives preference to about 25 per cent. of the goods she imports from the United Kingdom.