§ 47. Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when his proposed levying duty for cotton textiles from India will come into effect; and if such duty will be terminated as part of the duty free quota allowed in the European Economic Community if Great Britain becomes a member.
§ Mr. NobleAs I informed the hon. Member on 17th May, the duty on imports into the United Kingdom of cotton goods from India and from other Commonwealth countries is due to come into effect on 1st January next. It is too early to say how our arrangements would be assimilated to those of the Community.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what, for the latest convenient stated period, have been the United Kingdom's foreign exchange earnings from shopping expeditions from France and the Benelux countries; and what estimate he has made of the effect on this trade of United Kingdom entry to the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. NobleI cannot give an exact figure but I doubt if the amount was more than £1 million out of the total expenditure of £44 million by all visitors from these countries in 1970. I have made no estimate of the kind asked for in the econd part of the Question.
§ Mr. Stratton Millsasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will give an assurance that the policy 9W of awarding industrial development certificates will be continued in the event of United Kingdom entry into the European Economic Community.
§ Sir J. EdenThere are no grounds for thinking that the operation of the i.d.c. system would be affected by entry into the European Economic Community.