§ Mr. Kenneth Clarkeasked the Secretary of State for Trade whether the Government support the European Community objective of a differential and more favourable treatment for the developing countries in the current negotiations on the GATT; what definition of developing countries is adopted for this purpose; whether this policy is subject to any conditions for so-called sensitive products; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MeacherI shall write to the hon. Member with the information requested, and place copies in the Library of the House for the information of hon. Members.
§ Mr. Lomasasked the Secretary of State for Trade, for the purpose of being given preferential treatment in the export of their woollen cloths, at what stage the "underdeveloped" countries become "developed".
§ Mr. MeacherI presume that my hon. Friend has in mind tariff preferences under the generalised preference scheme. 735W The EEC has not withdrawn such preferences from any country on the grounds that it has become developed.
In many areas of the GSP there is specially favourable treatment for the poorest developing countries. However, in the case of woollen cloths no such differentiation is made and all the principal suppliers, including India, are subject to a specially low limit in respect of the amount of their trade which qualifies for preferential treatment.