§ 7. Mr. William Sheltonasked the Secretary of State for Trade what proposals Her Majesty's Government have made to the EEC to expedite the multilateral trade negotiations.
§ Mr. MeacherHer Majesty's Government have made clear in various circles 1858 that we look for a rapid conclusion of the multilateral trade negotiations.
§ Mr. SheltonIs not the Minister being too complacent? Should he not urge the Commission to speed the negotiations as quickly as possible, since to date little agreement has been reached, the already postponed target date for tariff cuts is now only a year away, and the American authority to negotiate under the Trade Act 1975 lapses in two or three years' time?
§ Mr. MeacherWe are anxious to see an early conclusion to the MTNs and my right hon. Friend will take initiatives as may be appropriate to secure this end. We have the approach of the new American Administration and we also will be having changes in personnel in the Commission of the European Communities. The hon. Gentleman is right to refer to the early conclusion of powers under the United States Trade Act which end at the end of 1978. That is one reason for concluding negotiations at the latest by the early part of 1978 to ensure that Congress has time to take the necessary action.