§ Mr. Molyneauxasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what arrangements he has made to integrate the Anglo-Eire Free Trade Agreement into the transitional arrangements for entry into the European Economic Community.
§ Sir G. HoweI have been asked to reply.
None was necessary. Under the Treaty of Accession to the EEC, the tariff provisions of the Anglo-Irish Free Trade Area Agreement may be continued during the transitional period. The agricultural provisions will largely be overtaken at the outset of the transitional period, when both parties adopt the common agricultural policy. Other provisions of the Anglo-Irish Free Trade Area Agreement will progressively be subsumed during the transition to full customs union with the enlarged Community.
§ Mr. Molyneauxasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when discussions were last held with the Government of the Irish Republic under the Anglo-Eire Free Trade Agreement; and what topics were included on the agenda.
§ Sir G. HoweI have been asked to reply.
The last discussions were held between officials of both Governments in Dublin in May, when the review of the Anglo-Irish Free Trade Area held under Article 1(5) of the agreement was completed. These discussions concerned difficulties in specific industries in the Irish Republic. Details of the outcome of these discussions were published in full on page 437 of Trade and Industry dated 8th June 1972, a copy of which is available in the House of Commons Library.
§ Mr. Molyneauxasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will list the provisions of the Anglo-Eire Free Trade Agreement which are still operating as originally agreed, and separately list those which 120W have been changed consequent on European Economic Community entry.
§ Sir G. HoweI have been asked to reply.
The Anglo-Irish Free Trade Area Agreement is operating substantially in its original form. There have been certain minor evolutionary changes but none consequent upon the signing of the Treaty of Accession to the European Economic Communities by the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.