HC Deb 30 November 1979 vol 974 cc862-3W
Mr. Grylls

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what representations, direct or through the EEC and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Her Majesty's Government are making to ameliorate the Toxic Substances Control Act regulations for notification and testing of chemicals by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

Mr. Parkinson

The European Economic Community is pursuing this matter vigorously with the United States authorities. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development has set in hand studies on the potential barriers to international trade presented by the United States Toxic Substances Control Act and other similar legislation. In each case the United Kingdom plays a full part in order to ensure both that the United Kingdom view is reflected and communicated to the United States authorities and that adverse effects of United States legislation on international trade can be minimised.

The Government keep in close touch with the Chemical Industries Association and the Confederation of British Industry about the problems arising from the Act. Both these organisations have also commented directly to the United States Environmental Protection Agency on the adverse effects of proposed regulations under the Act.

UNITED KINGDOM TRADE IN MANUFACTURES*
OTS basis
Crude balance† £ million Terms of trade Relative export prices§ Relative volume United Kingdom share of world trade
1978 prices 1978=100 1975=100 1970=100 (percentage)
1972 5,602 101 106.2 86 10.1
1973 5,351 92 97.5 80 9.4
1974 5,479 90 96.0 81 8.8
1975 5,941 97 100.0 84 9.3
1976 6,373 95 97.6 83 8.7
1977 6,494 98 103.0 81 9.3
1978 3,974 100 108.1 n.a. 9.5
* SITC sections 5 to 8.
† Export volume (fob) less import volume (cif), each series on 1975=100, converted to 1978 prices.
‡ Export unit value index (fob) as percentage of import unit value index (cif), each series on 1975 = 100 re-referenced to 1978 = 100.
§ United Kingdom export prices of manufactures relative to a weighted average of main competitors.
║ Export volume index (fob) as percentage of import volume index (cif). The 1970—based index numbers were not compiled for periods after 1977.
¶ United Kingdom share of value of main manufacturing countries' exports of manufactures.

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