§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Trade what are the main areas of responsibility of his Department which are likely to be affected by the proposed enlargement of the EEC to include Spain, Portugal and Greece; and what special action is being taken within his Department to examine the problems which will arise.
§ Mr. Meacher,pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 16th January 1978; Vol. 960, c. 738], gave the following information
United Kingdom trade with the three applicant countries currently comprises about 3 per cent. of our total trade. Some growth in our exports, both in relative and absolute terms, to the three applicant countries should be expected following accession, particularly in consumer products like whisky and manufactured foods, but they are likely to remain a relatively minor element in our overall trading pattern. We should stand to benefit more than they will from the dismantling of existing tariffs and non-tariff barriers, but enlargement is unlikely to have a significant impact on our overall trade. My Department is, however, already taking steps, through trade associations, seminars and the media, to ensure that full advantage will be taken by United Kingdom exporters of the opportunities afforded by easier access to the applicants' markets.