HC Deb 02 August 1976 vol 916 cc631-3W
Mr. Rooker

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will make a statement on the reasons for waiving the import duties on titanium in certain specified end use areas.

Mr. Meacher

Under Regulation (EEC) No. 3074/75 of the Council, the

£'000
1971 1972 1973 1974 1975
Exports (fob) … … 3,019 2,275 4,130 7,387 11,648
Imports (cif) … … 1,557 2,457 5,325 9,383 8,832
of which from:
USA … … 953 1,341 2,683 4,257 3,724
USSR … … 4 217 193 456 112
Japan … … 145 110 253 286 259

common customs tariff of the European Economic Community is suspended for 1976 on certain thin walled tubes of unwrought titanium for the construction, maintenance and repair of the European Airbus and Mercure aircraft and also on certain bolts, nuts, screws, rivets and similar articles of unwrought titanium for the maintenance and repair of certain other aircraft of an unladen weight exceeding 15 tonnes.

In accordance with the Act of Accession, United Kingdom import duties have also been suspended under the Import Duties (Temporary Reductions and Exemptions) (No. 23) Order 1975. Such suspensions are granted in response to the needs of Community constructors or operators of aircraft and, as is stated in the Council Regulation, take into account the capability of Community industry to supply. They have been in force since 1st January 1975 and there was no objection by United Kingdom industry to their renewal for 1976.

An application has recently been made by a United Kingdom user for a suspension of import duties on titanium wire for manufacturing aircraft fastenings. There is no objection from United Kingdom industry to a suspension for the first six months of 1977 and a United Kingdom request for suspending the EEC's import duties for this period is being considered in Brussels.

Mr. Rooker

asked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) what has been the value of titanium imported into the United Kingdom in each of past five years from: (a) the United States of America, (b) the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and (c) Japan;

(2) what is the value of titanium produced in the United Kingdom; how much is exported; and what is the value of imported titanium.

Mr. Meacher

No figures are available for publication for United Kingdom production of titanium. Following is the other information:

Mr. Rooker

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what is the EEC external common tariff imposed on imported titanium; and how this compares with tariffs applying in the United States of America, Japan and the USSR.

Mr. Meacher

The information is as follows:

Percentage
EEC* USA Japan
Titanium:
Unwrought; waste and scrap 6† 18§ 12
Wrought and articles thereof 8‡ 18 12
* The rates shown are those of the Common Customs Tariff.
† The duty on titanium sponge and waste and scrap is suspended until 30th June 1977.
‡ The duty on certain articles of titanium is suspended for certain end-uses.
§ The duty on unwrought titanium and waste and scrap is suspended until June 1978.

The USSR is a State-trading country and rates of duty where applied are not known.

Mr. Rooker

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if, following the Chancellor of the Exchequer's statement of 22nd July,Official Report, column 2013, regarding the extension of selective import restraints, he will consider action on submissions made to him regarding imports of titanium into the United Kingdom.

Mr. Meacher

I am considering a number of questions which have been raised on trade in this product.