HC Deb 26 July 1976 vol 916 cc66-7W
12. Mr. John H. Osborn

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what protests have been made, either independently or jointly, to the United States of America about quotas and tariff increases affecting the special steel industries of Sheffield.

Mr. Meacher

Her Majesty's Government and the Community have from the outset stressed their concern about the United States action to impose quotas on speciality steels; and our rights under Article XIX of the GATT have been fully reserved.

Mr. John H. Osborn

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will tabulate the tariffs, indicating the increase in 1976, imposed by the United States of America on different grades of steel, including special and stainless steels, as well as on the products using steels made in Sheffield including aircraft, motor vehicles, machine tools, engineers' and hand tools and engineering goods, indicating equivalent tariffs on such goods imported into the United Kingdom or the EEC manufactured in the United States of America.

Mr. Meacher

For the range of products referred to in the Question the import duties charged in the USA and in the United Kingdom and the original member States of the EEC vary according to the type of goods, and this information could not be provided without disproportionate cost. But if the hon. Member writes to me about the particular goods he is interested in I will try to give him detailed information as quickly as possible.

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