Part of the debate – in the House of Commons am 12:00 am ar 20 Gorffennaf 1964.
This statement was made because of a change in the position of the Western Hemisphere Export Council; and as a result of the resignation of Lord Rootes, to whom we have already paid tribute, it was necessary to reorganise the machinery for dealing with North and South America. Therefore, this gave an opportunity for the creation of a British National Export Council and linking other bodies with it and forming it from the chairmen and representatives of those bodies.
As for Commonwealth trade, it is because of this position that we have been making efforts in Canada which have resulted in a change in the Canadian Custom procedure for whisky, which is beneficial to us, and the undertaking of the Canadian Minister of Finance, on behalf of his Government, to deal with the question of valuation in Canada—of utmost importance to us. Hence, also, the reason why we have been concentrating on Australia as a market.
The hon. Member will also recall the impact on Commonwealth trade of the extent of aid devoted by other members of the Commonwealth which is tied aid and, therefore, affects our freedom of trade with the Commonwealth itself. These are obstacles with which we have to battle. It is necessary that British businessmen should do their utmost and we encourage them to do it.