asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state whether any control of imports Orders now in force provide for separate import quotas for goods of British or other origin and, if so, the classes of goods to which these Orders relate; and if he will further state whether it is the Government's view that the "rules of non-discrimination" between members of the European payments union set forth in Chapter 4 of the document approved by the Council of O.E.E.C. on 6th-7th July, 1950, involve any amendment of such Orders; and, if not, why not.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Control of Imports Orders.
The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, the goods covered being certain metal screws and cotton piece goods. The practical application of the rules referred to in the second part of the question is being studied at present by O.E.E.C. and no decision has yet been reached by the organisation on the precise technique by which non-discrimination should be secured. It is not yet possible, accordingly, to say if the Orders in question will require amendment.