§ Mr. Martenasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what are the 161W special arrangements whereby West Germany can treat exports from East Germany as internal trade; what effect this has on trade within the Common Market and in particular on East German imports from non-EEC countries which make their way into the Common Market; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir G. HoweA protocol to the Treaty of Rome provided for inter-zonal trade between East and West Germany to be regarded as internal German trade but that each member State could take appropriate measures to prevent difficulties arising from this arrangement. This protocol is still in force. Imports of goods from the GDR into other Community countries, including the United Kingdom are however not exempted from the common external tariff, nor do these arrangements apply to imports into the Federal Republic from other non-member countries.
So far as concerns the second part of the question there is not formal machinery to control the re-export of goods entering the Federal Republic of Germany from East Germany but there are very heavy tax distincentive measures and I understand that this has not proved a serious problem up to date.
Trade Association Minimum degree of absorption of price increases since 6th November 1972 (unless otherwise stated) Light Metals Light Metal Founders Association 20 per cent, of increased secondary aluminium ingots cost. Zinc Alloy Die Casters Association 55 per cent, of increased zinc alloy cost which took place on 30th November 1972. Association of Bronze and Brass Founders 15 per cent, of increased copper alloy ingots cost up to 25th January 1973. National Brass Foundry Association. Copper Cylinder and Boiler Manufacturers 20 per cent, of increased copper metal content cost up to 13th February 1973. Johnson, Matthey & Co 10 per cent, of increased palladium cost up to 23rd November 1972. Englehard Industries British Joint Association of Goldsmiths, Silversmiths, Horological and Kindred Trades. 58 per cent, of increased silver cost between 1st September 1972 and 12th February 1973. Association of British Pewter Craftsmen 51 per cent, of increased raw materials cost between 3rd January 1972 and 22nd January 1973. Fatty Acids Association of Fatty Acid Distillers 25 per cent, of increased tallow cost up to 19th February 1973. Soap and Detergent Industry Association Association of Fatty Acid Distillers 10 per cent, of increased cost of castor oil and fish acid oil up to 7th February 1973. Textiles and Carpets Federation of British Carpet Manufacturers 50 per cent, of increased raw wool cost up to 22nd December 1972. Tufted Carpet Manufacturers Association 30 per cent, of increased raw wool cost up to 22nd December 1972. Needleloom Felt Manufacturers Association 50 per cent, of increased raw materials cost between 14th September and end December 1972. Pressed Felt Manufacturers Association 30 per cent, of increased raw materials cost between last, established price and 6th November 1972.