HC Deb 02 July 1973 vol 859 c11W
40. Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the joint negotiating position of the Nine at the coming GATT proceedings in Tokyo.

Sir G. Howe

The Council of the European Communities at the meeting on 25th-26th June reached agreement on the Community's overall approach to the forthcoming GATT multilateral trade negotiations. As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs said in the House on 27th June, this provides a sensible and practical framework which should enable the talks to start in Tokyo in September. The overall objectives of the negotiations are seen by the Community as consolidation and continuation of the liberalisation of international trade, on the basis of overall reciprocity, and improvement of trade opportunities for the developing countries. I am arranging for copies of the document setting out this overall approach to be placed in the Library of the House of Commons.