§ 49. Mr. Deakinsasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if it is the policy of the Government not to reimpose tariffs on imports from European Free Trade Association members, in the event of the United Kingdom joining the European Economic Community and other European Free Trade Association Members remaining outside.
§ Mr. Anthony GrantThe achievement of wider economic integration in Europe is a basic objective of both E.F.T.A. and the E.E.C. It is generally recognised that it is in nobody's interest to erect fresh trade barriers in Europe, and we hope that the arrangements which all the E.F.T.A. members are discussing with the Community will reflect this.
§ 50. Mr. Deakinsasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what would be the cost to the balance of payments, and what would be the cost to the newspaper industry, of applying the European Economic Community Common External Tariff to United Kingdom imports of newsprint.
§ Mr. RidleySuch a calculation would be unrealistic, given that the Community has duty-free quota arrangements which permit the importation of virtually all newsprint free of duty. We are discussing with them how these arrangements might be adapted to the circumstances of an enlarged Community.