§ Sir D. Dodds-Parkerasked the Secretary of State for Industry what progress has been made in applying G56 and tariff reduction on exports of jute products from Bangladesh into the EEC.
§ Mr. MeacherThe Geneva 1956 GATT tariff negotiations contained no provisions relating to jute products. The EEC agreement with Bangladesh which we hope will be signed shortly provides for reductions in the common external tariff over the three years 1974–1976 and the suspension of quantitative import restrictions, in return for export limitation by Bangladesh.
The United Kingdom has a special derogation whereby jute goods may enter this country free of duty during 1974. The extension of this arrangement will be discussed later this year.