HC Deb 13 December 1988 vol 143 c493W
Mr. Steel

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he intends to pursue in the European Community Turkey's breach of Ankara agreement in levying duties of up to 78 per cent. on wool cloth and 122 per cent. on knitted garments; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Robert Atkins

The Government are very concerned about the high level of taxation on Community goods of all kinds entering Turkey.

Following representations from the United Kingdom and other member states, the Commission has established a working group of experts with Turkey to seek to resolve outstanding trade issues between the Community and Turkey. My Department supplied a statement of the United Kingdom's concerns to the Commission in advance of the first meeting of the working group and we shall continue to give full support to the Commission's efforts to improve conditions for competition within the framework of the EC-Turkey association agreement.