HC Deb 26 March 1996 vol 274 c474W
Mr. Allason

To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether the European Union imposes different levels of the common external tariff in different member states. [22709]

Mr. Oppenheim

No. Article 9 of the EC treaty provides for the adoption of a common external tariff by member states in their relations with all third countries. However, as part of transitional arrangements following their accession, new member states may apply different levels in aligning their tariffs on the common external tariff.