HC Deb 08 March 1971 vol 813 cc4-6W
50. Mr. Hayhoe

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps are being taken by the European Economic Community to establish a generalised preference scheme for the developing countries.

Mr. John Davies

Like other industrialised countries, the E.E.C. aims to introduce generalised preferences in 1971.

51. Mr. Hayhoe

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish figures showing the growth rate of British exports to the European Economic Community and the Commonwealth, respectively, in the period 1958 to 1970.

Mr. John Davies

11 and 2½per cent. per annum, respectively, measured in£ sterling.

52 and 53. Dame Patricia Hornsby-Smith

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he will publish the latest available figures for Yugoslavia's imports to and exports from the European Economic Community, the European Free Trade Association and the United Kingdom, respectively;

(2) if he will publish the latest available figures showing Switzerland's annual trade with the European Economic Community, the European Free Trade Association and the United Kingdom, respectively.

Mr. Anthony Grant

The information is available in "Statistics of Foreign Trade, Series A", published by O.E.C.D.

68. Mr. Blaker

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the effect of the common external tariff of the European Economic Community on the sale of British buses and trucks to the members of the Community.

Mr. Ridley

There is little doubt that the present high level of the tariff, 22 per cent., inhibits United Kingdom exports of these products to E.E.C. countries, but it is not possible to make any realistic estimate of the quantitative effect.

70. Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the total trade in the last financial year between the United Kingdom and countries where all foreign trade is handled by the State; whether he is aware that the European Economic Community has decided that from the end of 1972 all trade with countries coming under this definition will be negotiated centrally by the European Economic Community Commission for the Community as a whole; and what legislation will be needed to bring the United Kingdom within this provision.

Mr. Anthony Grant

£681 million. The Commission carries out trade negotiations in accordance with policies determined by the Council of Ministers. The precise form of the legislation required to enable us to implement the obligations resulting from accession to the European Economic Community can only be settled when the negotiations are completed.