§ 20. Mr. Hanleyasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress is being make in his talks on liberalising international trade in services.
§ Mr. ChannonThe GATT contracting parties agreed at their meeting in November to set up the preparatory process for a new round in which the British Government think it essential that all relevant topics, including trade in services, should be included. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom continues to press for completion of the Community's internal market in services as in goods.
§ Mr. HanleyI had always understood that one of the main objectives of the European Community was freedom of trade by the removal of restrictive trade practices. Will my right hon. Friend give me some idea of when the current dispute over the German insurance market might be resolved and the possible prospects for the British insurance market when that has occurred?
§ Mr. ChannonIt will, of course, depend upon the decision of the court. I hope that the court decision in the 1074 German case will be made in the not too distant future, and that it will be in favour of the position that we have adopted. Before long that would lead to substantial progress being made in this area.