§ Mr. Baldryasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what action Her Majesty's Government have taken in response to the decision of the Canadian Government to impose a 10 per cent. tariff on imports of British books;
(2) if he plans to ask the European Community to take any action in response to the Canadian Government's imposition of a 10 per cent. tariff on British books;
(3) what is the estimated loss to British exports resulting from the recent Canadian tariffs on imports of books from the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkThe Canadian Government have imposed a 10 per cent. tariff on imports of English language books. The loss to United Kingdom exports, which was some £22 million in 1985, will depend upon the extent to which the 10 per cent. tariff can be absorbed by United Kingdom exports; but is clearly a matter of concern. Her Majesty's Government have therefore raised the issue with the European Commission and has made bilateral representations to the Canadian authorities.
§ Mr. Baldryasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if Her Majesty's Government have made any 375W representations to the Canadian Government on the possibility of Canada acceding to the Florence agreement prohibiting tariffs on the import of books.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkNo. However the question of the recent imposition of a 10 per cent. tariff on English language books has been taken up bilaterally with the Canadian Government.