§ 16. Mr. Dalyellasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on negotiations with European 1283 Free Trade Area countries on the subject of more favourable tariff arrangements for British motor vehicles.
§ Mr. MasonThe chief problem is the revenue duties charged in Norway and Finland. Her Majesty's Government take every opportunity of impressing on the Norwegian and Finnish Governments their concern that E.F.T.A. exporters of important classes of motor vehicles receive no benefits over exporters from other countries. My right hon. Friend will be pursuing this matter further while he is in Lisbon for the current E.F.T.A. meeting.
§ Mr. DalyellIs my hon. Friend aware that we wish him the best of good fortune in this matter, which has a great effect on the operations of the British Motor Corporation in Bathgate, a high percentage of whose exports go to E.F.T.A. countries?
§ Mr. MasonOur contention is that certain E.F.T.A. countries are breaching the spirit of the E.F.T.A. rules. My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade will be raising this in the course of his talks, and it would be appropriate for my hon. Friend to raise this again at a later date.