§ Mr. Juddasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT details of the steps taken, and the results achieved, by the British Government towards the fulfilment of the declaration of intent to strengthen and extend trade links between the EEC and the Asian Commonwealth.
§ Mr. John DaviesThe EEC Commission recently sent a communication to the Council (COM(73)1801 final of 24th October) about the first stage in the implementation of the Joint Declaration of Intent. Copies of this are available to Members in the Vote Office.
The communication consists chiefly of detailed recommendations for improvements in the Community's Generalised Scheme of Preferences, designed to be of special benefit to the Asian countries concerned. The Government welcome these proposals and are pressing strongly for their acceptance.
We have also noted with satisfaction the Commission's intention to take up certain problems not dealt with in the first stage document—such as those affecting Singapore—after they have been given further study.
An agreement between the Community and India on jute and coir products was initialled at the beginning of this month. This will provide for reductions of up to 60 per cent. on the common customs tariff for these products. It is expected that a similar agreement with Bangladesh will be negotiated shortly.
Negotiations between the Community and India about a commercial co-operation agreement are at an advanced stage.