§ 52. Mr. Peter Lloydasked the Secretary of State for Trade what progress is being made towards the dismantling of technical and other non-tariff barriers to trade within the EEC.
§ Mr. Nott108 directives have been adopted under the Community's programme for the elimination of technical barriers to trade under article 100 of the Treaty of Rome, and work is in hand on a further 142. Discussions are also tak-52W ing place between member States to identify and propose remedies for the problem faced by manufacturers because of differences in standards and certification requirements. My Department has already consulted 400 United Kingdom trade associations and related bodies as part of this exercise. The Commission is also tackling other areas, such as import formalities. But progress generally is slower than I would wish and I and my colleagues are considering what more can be done to speed up Community action and make it more effective.