HC Deb 01 May 1972 vol 836 cc22-4W
Mr. Deakins

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the Government will support a change in the terms of reference of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development group on trade and related matters to enable that group to make recommendations as to the form that any multilateral trade negotiations should take.

Mr. Noble:

The terms of reference agreed by the Ministerial Meeting of the Council of OECD on 8th June last year were that this group should "analyse the trade and related problems which arise in a longer-term perspective, i.e. it will define the problems and assess their relative urgency, consider how these problems might be dealt with, and set out options for their solution. Ministers stressed that this study should take account of the work being undertaken in the GATT by virtue of its responsibilities and prerogatives under the General Agreement." I see no reason to suggest any change in these terms of reference. The main industrial countries, including the United Kingdom have agreed to initiate multilateral negotiations in GATT for the further liberalisation of world trade.

Mr. Deakins

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to promote multilateral negotiations with Japan and the United States of America for the purpose of bringing about international free trade in industrial products.

Mr. Noble:

I said in an answer in the House on 28th February that we welcome and support the initiative of the United States and the EEC, with which Japan has also associated herself, for negotiations in GATT beginning in 1973 for the further liberalisation of world trade.—[Vol. 832, c. 21–2]

Mr. Deakins

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will be reporting to the House on the deliberations of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development group studying international trade and related problems; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Noble:

The report of this group has first to be submitted to the OECD Ministers who established the group in June last year.

Mr. Deakins

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will support a further liberalisation of international trade as part of a long-term solution to international monetary problems.

Mr. Noble:

As I have already said in the House, Her Majesty's Government support the proposal to initiate GATT negotiations for the further liberalisation of world trade. Her Majesty's Government's views on the importance of international monetary reform are well known, and my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer has indicated the direc- tion we hope reform will take. Her Majesty's Government recognise the important relationships in this field—[Vol 832. c. 21–2]