§ Mr. Moateasked the Secretary of State for Trade what representation he has received about the level of tariffs applied to import of wet fish, and in particular cod and haddock, from Norway; and why these tariffs should be at a higher rate than for fish from Iceland and other non-EEC countries.
§ Mr. MeacherSeveral hon. Members have drawn my attention to an aide memoire prepared by Norwegian fishing interests. This refers to the lower duties charged in the EEC on fish from certain unspecified third countries, presumably Iceland, compared with those charged on Norwegian fish. Decisions concerning concessionary rates of customs duty are matters for the EEC Council, but the lower tariff rates for Icelandic fish reflect the negotiating requirements for the EEC/Iceland Agreement. The Council210W recently decided temporarily to reduce the duties on certain species of fish, including cod and haddock, intended for the processing industry, for the second half of 1978. These reductions will, of course, apply to Norwegian fish.