§ Sir David SteelTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will continue to press for the reduction of United States tariff peaks on textiles and clothing in the GATT Uruguay round; and if he will make a statement on progress made by Her Majesty's Government in the negotiations.
§ Mr. NeedhamIn the current GATT Uruguay round market access negotiations, the Government continue to press, through the European Commission which negotiates on behalf of the European Community, for substantial reductions in peak United States textile and clothing tariffs. Good progress was made in talks in Tokyo on 6 July, at which the EC, United States, Japan and Canada produced an agreed report containing elements of a deal on market access including the objective of reaching 50 per cent. reductions in tariff rates of 15 per cent. and above, subject to agreed exceptions and effective market opening by other participants.