asked the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs at what time and on what date the decision of Her Majesty's Government to impose the 15 per cent. surcharge was imparted to the United States Government; and by what method this information was conveyed.

asked the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs on what date, at what time, and how, the Governments of the United Kingdom's partners in the European Free Trade Asosciation were informed of Her Majesty's Government's intention to impose a 15 per cent. surcharge on imports.

asked the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs on what dates, at what times, by what methods, and where, notification of Her Majesty's Government's unilateral decision to impose a 15 per cent. surcharge on imports was given to the United States of America, the European Free Trade Association, and other European countries, respectively.

Messages were sent through British Embassies over the weekend of 24th and 25th October to the Governments of the countries of the European Free Trade Association and of the United States, in which full notification was given of the measures to be announced on 26th October. Messages were sent to the Governments of other European countries at the same time as the measures were announced.

Could the hon. Gentleman be more forthcoming? Could he tell us the true facts of this case? Were our American allies in fact informed about this matter 48 hours before our E.F.T.A. partners? Can we have an answer, yes or no?

I can assure the House that any difference in the timing of the messages to these Governments was not significant.

Hon. Members:

Oh.

Dodgy.

Could the hon. Gentleman make plain what, in these circumstances, he regards as a significant delay? If it was 48 hours, is he saying that 48 hours in these circumstances was insignificant? Is it not a fact that the Americans themselves questioned the wisdom of their having been informed before our E.F.T.A. partners?

No doubt the hon. Gentleman refers to the fact that Sir Eric Roll was in Washington. The duties of our Executive Director in the I.M.F., who is also Economic Minister in Her Majesty's Embassy in Washington, were to discuss monetary questions with that body and the United States authorities responsible for the other reserve currency, the dollar. In the course of discussions over the weekend, the I.M.F. and the U.S. authorities were informed of Her Majesty's Government's economic measures.

Would the hon. Gentleman say 48 hours in these circumstances is not very significant?

Frankly, in view of the fact that all was due to the bungling—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."]—of the British economic problems by the party opposite, these supplementary questions really are impertinent.

Can we have an answer? [HON. MEMBERS: "Sit down."] Were the Americans informed 48 hours before our E.F.T.A. partners?

Hon. Members:

Answer.

On a point of order. In view of the hon. Gentleman's inability to answer this Question, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter at the earliest opportunity.

Why do not hon. Members stand up for their country for a change?

On a point of order. I do not know whether I heard aright, but I believe I heard the right hon. Member say something I particularly dislike—

The target appeared to be of a very general character.