HC Deb 21 March 1973 vol 853 cc116-7W
45. Mr. Cronin

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will take steps to induce the European Economic Community to offset the adverse effects of the termination of India's trading advantages in Great Britain, to solve the problem of India's jute and coir exportdifficulties and to give India access to the Community's markets so that herchronic increasing external deficit can be reversed.

Sir G. Howe

India will enjoy important duty-free access to Community markets for major exports such as bulk tea and oil seed cakes as well as under the opportunities conceded under the Community's generalised preference scheme. The Community has already made constructive proposals to India for agreements on jute and coir and is currently preparing to negotiate a commercial co-operation agreement with India.