HC Deb 17 December 1957 vol 580 cc35-7W
Sir T. Moore

asked the President of the Board of Trade what quotas are at

TABLE I
IMPORTS INTO THE UNITED KINGDOM FROM O. E. E. C.
(1) (2) (3)
Class Main items subject to restriction Main item liberalised since 1st January, 1956
A. Food, beverages and tobacco. Ham. Bacon.
Milk products. Dried, frozen and liquid egg.
Apples and pears.
Potatoes.
Sugar preparations (most).
B. Basic materials Stone. Pulp and waste paper.
Flower bulbs. Manila hemp.
Tungsten ores.
C. Mineral fuels and lubricants. Coal, coke and manufactured fuels. —
D. Manufactured goods Dyestufrs and intermediates. Paper and board.
Calcium carbide. Wrought iron and steel pipes and tubes.
Leather.
Newsprint; paper manufactures.
Stockings and socks.
Lace and lace net.
Jute and manila hemp yarns and manufactures.
Jewellery.
Cutlery.
Motor vehicles and parts.
Clocks and watches.
Some cameras.
Scientific and optical glassware and instruments.
Arms and ammunition.
Sports goods, toys and games.
Smokers' requisites.
Basketware.
Curios.

present imposed by Great Britain on imports from Western European countries; in what way these quotas have been modified during the past two years; and what modifications have taken place in the same period as regards quotas imposed on British imports by Western European countries.

Sir D. Eccles

The main items still subject to restriction when imported from Western Europe and those freed from such restriction over the past two years are set out in Table I below. Our percentage liberalisation of imports from O.E.E.C. countries, calculated on imports in 1948 as base year, has increased from 85 per cent. to 94 per cent. over this period. Corresponding information for imports into Western European countries is given in Table II. It would not be practicable to list the numerous changes which have taken place in individual quotas over this period.

TABLE II
IMPORTS INTO O.E.E.C. FROM UNITED KINGDOM.
(1) (2) (3)
Country Liberalisation percentage Notes indicating principal change since January, 1956
1st January, 1956 1st December, 1957
Benelux … 91 96 Small overall increase in quotas for United Kingdom.
Denmark … 78 86 Liberalisation extended to most textiles and certain motor vehicles and parts
France … 78 — Re-imposition of restrictions owme to balance of payments difficulties in 1957.
Germany … 91 93 Liberalisation extended to: Glassware; Television sets; Aircraft, aircraft engines and parts; Earthenware tableware; Lace; Leather; Some rubber manufactures (including tyres); Soap; Toilet preparations and perfumery; Wool hand-knitting yarns.
Italy … 99 99 —
Norway … 75 81 Liberalisation extended to: Certain rubber manufactures; Sacks; Leather; Aircraft engines; Marine and stationary engines; Office machinery; A wide range of electrical equipment and appliances; Bicycles; Lamps; A wide range of clothing and footware; Cellophane and viscose film; Telephone and telegraph apparatus; Iron and steel pipes; There has also been some increase in the size of the quotas (both global and bilateral) for a wide range of non-liberalised products.
Sweden … 93 93 Most other goods freely licensed.
Switzerland … 93 91 Certain motor vehicles de-liberalised, but United Kingdom exports have considerably exceeded quota.