asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that, in a communication to the National Union of Manufacturers in Great Britain, the president of the Board of Trade has stated that Imperial Preference will be contracted only as part of a general settlement advantageous to Great Britain; that there was no question of unilateral surrender of preferences, and that, on the contrary, there must be adequate compensation for all parties affected; and if he will state whether any consultation has taken place with the Government of Great Britain on the effect, on this country, of any contraction of Imperial Preference, and on the manner in which compensation in respect of such contraction could be arranged.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Trade Preferences.
I have seen a newspaper report containing a reference to the communication issued by the president of the Board of Trade. There has been no consultation of the kind mentioned in the final part of the Deputy's question and no such consultation is likely for some time. As the Deputy is aware, this country was represented at trade talks in London last month in which Commonwealth countries participated, when there was a general exchange of views on the American proposals for expansion of world trade and employment.