HC Deb 18 January 1989 vol 145 cc322-3
9. Mr. Butler

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on current trading relations with Tunisia.

The Minister for Trade (Mr. Alan Clark)

United Kingdom-Tunisian trade relations are good. Provisional trade figures for January-November 1988 show United Kingdom exports of just under £29 million and imports of £34 million.

Mr. Butler

Is my hon. Friend aware that that friendly country, which is liberalising its economy and privatising, has traditionally turned its face towards France and the Francophone world but now wishes to expand its horizons, and presents considerable opportunities to English exporters should they take the chance?

Mr. Clark

I am glad that my hon. Friend has made that point. I hope to visit Tunisia in March with a high-level CBI mission to encourage further development of trade between our two countries. Last March I opened the "Tunis Week" exhibition, which was well attended and aroused a great deal of interest, and I hope to follow up in my visit.

Mr. Ron Brown

As Tunisia—[Interruption.]

Mr. Speaker

Order.

Mr. Brown

As Tunisia has virtually a common market with Libya, would it not make sense to at least have a dialogue with Colonel Gadaffi's Government about the possibility of better relations between Britain and Libya?

Mr. Clark

In my conversations with distinguished members of the Tunisian Government and Corps Diplomatique, I have found that they express substantial reservations about their relationship with Colonel Gadaffi. I do not know what the hon. Gentleman means by "common market", but certainly Tunisia does not suffer from any of the restraints on our trade which we presently and properly impose on trade with Libya.

Mr. Hanley

Does my hon. Friend agree that the political situation in Tunisia with President Ben Ali is more stable than for many years? Following on the excellent aid provision that has been given to the Maghreb region by the United Kingdom, does my hon. Friend agree that we should take advantage of the good will which is being established between Tunisia and Britain?

Mr. Clark

Yes, indeed. The political regime has entirely altered and one of the objectives of the Tunisian Government and business leaders presently is to privatise the public sector of its economy. To that end a mission will be visiting the United Kingdom. It will also be visiting Russia. I hope that then we shall be able to tell it how to carry that out profitably and efficiently.