Electronic Components (Hansard, 20 January 1994)

§ Mr. Donohoe

To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what representations he has received from Conner Peripherals (UK) Ltd. relating to the Government's policy on import duties on electronic components and products imported into the United Kingdom from non-European Union countries; and if he will make a statement;

(2) if he will make a statement on the import duties imposed by the Government on electronic components and products imported into the United Kingdom by non-European Union countries;

(3) what representations he has received from the electronics sector relating to the Government's policy on import duties on electronic components and products imported into the United Kingdom from non-European Union countries; and if he will make a statement;

(4) if he will make a statement on changes since 1990 on the import duties levied on electronic components and products imported into the United Kingdom by non-European Union countries;

(5) what action his Department is taking to safeguard the United Kingdom electronic industry against imports from non-European countries.

§ Mr. Needham

[holding answer 18 January 1994] The common customs tariff charged on imports into the United Kingdom of electronic components and products ranges from 4 per cent. to 14 per cent. There have been no changes in the common customs tariff since 1990.

There have been discussions with a number of United Kingdom electronic sector companies, including Conner Peripherals (UK) Ltd., about the application of the European Community's tariff regimes, in particular the temporary suspension of duty and tariff quota schemes, whereby EC tariffs can be suspended on items not available from within the EC. Following these discussions, an EC tariff quota on imports of hard disk drives was dicontinued with effect from 1 January 1992.

Anti-dumping duties have been imposed by the EC on certain electronic components in response to unfair trading practices which have been injurious to EC industry. However, the Government continue to believe that the reduction or elimination of tariffs is the most effective way of encouraging the overall development of markets and increasing the volume of business.