HC Deb 06 March 2001 vol 364 c156W
Dr. Starkey

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when, in response to the communication of April 2000 from the EU Commission, Her Majesty's Customs and Excise requested certificates of origin from the Israeli authorities for(a) Ahava cosmetics, (b) dates, (c) carpets from Barkan, (d) wines and (e) any other items; how many such requests were made for each item; how many responses have been received; and if he will list those products on which the European Commission requested a posteriori verification of certificates of origin with the Israeli authorities. [151134]

Dawn Primarolo

UK Customs has initiated the following verification inquiries:

  1. (a) Ahava Cosmetics—13 certificates of preferential origin were returned to Israel for verification on 11 August 2000.
  2. (b) Dates—72 certificates were returned for verification on 31 October 2000.
  3. (c) Carpets from Barkan—nine certificates were returned on 17 August 2000.
  4. (d) Wines—18 certificates were returned between 1 September and 13 November 2000.
  5. (e) Other items—between 22 June and 20 November 2000: 1 certificate was returned for brandy and liqueurs; eight certificates were returned for pencils; 58 for plastic household items; 22 for key blanks and locks; three for electrical products; and seven for other bath and skincare products.

To date, no responses have been received to these inquiries.

In addition to the products listed above the EC Commission has requested that the customs authorities initiate inquiries in respect of biscuits and Soda Stream drinks makers, where the products have been imported from Israel into the member state concerned.