asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state whether his attention has been drawn to the announcement recently made by Mr. Clayton, Assistant Secretary of State, United States of America, giving public notice of the intention of the United States Government to conduct trade agreement negotiations, probably to begin in April, 1947, in Geneva, with all the Big Five Powers plus all the British Empire countries joined together by preferential agreements; if he will state whether he has received a communication from the United States Government in relation to these proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Trade Agreements.
I have seen a report of the announcement made by the United States Assistant Secretary of State. This announcement relates to a meeting convened by the United States Government to be held next spring and to which 18 States of the greatest trading importance have been invited to send representatives. This country is not included amongst the countries so invited.
This meeting is preliminary to a full international conference to be called later for the consideration of the American proposals for the expansion of world trade and employment.
Is the Minister aware that Mr. Clayton expressly stated that all the British Empire countries joined together by preferential agreement would be invited to come there?
Yes. Well, in fact, they are not.
Do I understand that, although we are a country joined together by a preferential agreement with the countries of the British Empire, we are being excluded from that invitation?
The procedure contemplated includes, first, the holding of a preliminary conference between the States of greatest industrial importance and the preparation there of draft proposals to be submitted later to a full international conference.