HC Deb 29 January 1979 vol 961 c1026
24. Mr. Forman

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will make a statement on the latest position in the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade multilateral trade negotiations.

Mr. John Smith

Substantial progress has been made in the multilateral trade negotiations on a balanced package of phased tariff reductions, and in the elaboration of codes covering other trade measures. The negotiating partners are holding intensive discussions aimed at completing the negotiations as soon as possible in 1979.

Mr. Forman

Does the Secretary of State recognise the great importance of the anti-dumping code in these negotiations? If so, how exactly will that code be enforced and in what way will the injury and transparency criteria be made more effective than hitherto?

Mr. Smith

I am afraid that it is not possible for me to go into detail on that matter at present. I am thinking of ways in which Parliament should be informed of the outcome of these negotiations, and I shall bear that point in mind.