§ Mr. Edenasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that wood chipboard manufactured in the United Kingdom and exported to Eire attracts an ad valorem duty of 25 per cent. on entering Eire, whereas wood 27W chipboard manufactured in Eire is not subject to any duty when imported into the United Kingdom; and whether, in view of the fact that the manufacture of chipboard is increasing in Eire and that there is need for encouraging the maximum production in the United Kingdom itself of this material, he will take steps to ensure fiscal equality between Eire and the United Kingdom in this respect at the earliest possible opportunity.
§ Mr. MaudlingI am aware that the duties on manufactured wood chipboard in the United Kingdom and the Irish Republic are as stated by my hon. Friend, but the basis of our Trade Agreements with the Irish Republic is an exchange of advantages overall rather than parity of tariff treatment for individual products.