§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action is being taken to implement the Joint Declaration of Intent in respect of Asian Commonwealth States other than India.
§ Mr. John DaviesThe EEC Commission's recommendations about the first stage in the implementation of the Joint Declaration of Intent (COM(73)1801 final of 24th October 1973) have been made available to Members in the Vote Office. I made some observations on these recommendations on 21st November—[Vol. 864, c.419.]—in reply to a Question from the hon. Member for Portsmouth (Mr. Judd). I am pleased to say that a good number of the recommendations for improvements in the Community's Generalised Scheme of Preferences have been agreed. These improvements will bring benefits to all the Asian countries concerned. In future reviews of the Community's GSP we shall inter alia continue to press for further improvements on products of interest to the countries covered by the declaration.
Negotiations have begun between the EEC and Bangladesh aimed at concluding an agreement giving preferential entry into the Community for jute products from Bangladesh. This agreement is expected to be similar to the one negotiated with India last year.
As and when other countries covered by the declaration raise specific issues with the Community we shall do all we can to ensure that full and sympathetic consideration is given to their problems.