HC Deb 09 December 1976 vol 922 cc283-4W
Mr. Gould

asked the Secretary of State for Trade to what degree the price advantage obtained by EEC countries from the reduction of tariff barriers following British entry into the EEC has stimulated their exports of manufactures to the United Kingdom.

Mr. Meacher

Many factors, including the depreciation of sterling and economic developments both in the United Kingdom and in the EEC, have affected our imports of manufactured goods from the EEC, and it is not possible to identify separately the effects of the tariff reductions from other influences.

Mr. Gould

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what advantage in terms of price competitiveness the United Kingdom has obtained from the reduction of tariff barriers as a result of joining the EEC; and whether this has been an important factor in stimulating exports of manufacturers to EEC countries.

Mr. Meacher

Since the end of 1972 the average level of tariffs on manufactured imports into the EEC from the United Kingdom has been reduced by four-fifths and is now estimated to stand at just over 1 per cent. The resulting increase in export price competitiveness will depend upon the pricing policy of United Kingdom exporters. Any improvement in our competitiveness can be expected to stimulate the volume of United Kingdom exports. However, many other influences have affected our exports of manufactures to the EEC, including the depreciation of sterling and economic developments both here and in the EEC, and it is not possible to identify separtely the effects of the tariff reductions.

Mr. Fernyhough

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will give a table showing the difference in value between the United Kingdom exports to and imports from the EEC since the United Kingdom joined, up to the latest available date.

Mr. Meacher

Figures of our trade with the EEC on a balance of payments basis up to the third quarter of this year were published inTrade and Industry, 3rd December 1976. (Table 3, page 390.)