§ Mr. Shersbyasked the Secretary of State for Trade what was the value of imports of canned pineapples for each of the past five years; and what is his policy towards the reduction of tariff barriers on this fruit.
§ Mr. MeacherFollowing is the information:
United Kingdom imports of canned pineapples in syrup (excluding pineapple pulp) Year Value (£) 1972 6,816,300 1973 9,052,600 1974 11,175,900 1975 11,113,900 1976 10,433,000 The full Community tariff on pineapple, which will apply in the United Kingdom from 1st January 1978, is 22 to 24 per cent. with a levy on the added sugar. But a considerable proportion of our imports enters at reduced rates of 12 per cent. to 15 per cent. under the Generalised System of Preferences and a certain amount enters duty free from the African Caribbean and Pacific countries signatory to the Lom‡ Convention. I shall continue to seek a reduction in the Community tariff on this fruit