HC Deb 21 June 1971 vol 819 cc219-20W
Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is aware that the Commission of the European Economic Community have decided that producers of flag-stones and ceramic wall tiles must not make discounts and year-end price reductions as a group; and whether, on Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community, British manufacturers will be barred from reducing their prices on this basis.

Mr. Amery

I understand that the Commission of the European Communities decided on 29th December, 1970, that an agreement on rebates between member firms of the Association of German Manufacturers of Ceramic Wall and Floor Tiles infringed the terms of Article 85 of the Treaty of Rome.

The general prohibitions under that article against restrictive agreements and practices between companies which effect trade between the member states of the E.E.C. would apply equally to British industry if the United Kingdom acceded to the Treaty of Rome.