§ Mr. Russell Johnstonasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the Government will support the efforts which are being made by India and other Commonwealth Asian countries to negotiate special trade arrangements with the EEC more advantageous than those presently envisaged.
§ Sir G. HoweThe Government are giving all possible support to these countries and will continue to do so in any future negotiations between them and the Community within the framework of the declaration of intent annexed to the Treaty of Accession. In recent months, negotiations with India on a commercial co-operation agreement and on a jute and coir agreement, which will include tariff concessions, have reached an advanced stage. The Community's generalised preference scheme is under review, in particular in its coverage of processed agricultural products, and we continue to draw the attention of our partners in the Community to the importance which the Asian Commonwealth attaches to this scheme.