HC Deb 20 July 1961 vol 644 cc147-8W
37. Mr. Turton

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the prevailing level of the common external tariff of the European Economic Community in sugar, dried fruit and tobacco.

Mr. Maudling

The common external tariff has not yet come into effect; the member countries of the E.E.C. are in process of adjusting their individual tariffs towards the eventual level of the common tariff.

The rates of duty in the common external tariff on different kinds of sugar range from 15 per cent. to 80 per cent., and on dried fruit from 5 per cent. to 20 per cent. The duty on unmanufactured tobacco is either about 15 per cent. or about 30 per cent., according to the value of the tobacco.

38. Mr. Jay

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state the full list of raw materials and foodstuffs which are dutiable under the common external tariff of the European Common Market, but which at present enter the United Kingdom duty-free either from the Commonwealth or from all sources.

Mr. Maudling

I am sending the hon. Member a list of raw materials which are dutiable under the common external tariff but at present enter the United Kingdom duty-free either from the Commonwealth or from all sources. With minor exceptions, all foodstuffs are subject to duty under the common external tariff. All foodstuffs, with the exception of products subject to the revenue duties of sugar, coffee, chicory, cocoa, hops, beer, wine and spirits, enter the United Kingdom duty-free either from the Commonwealth or from all sources.