§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for Trade whether the United Kingdom commitments to New Zealand under the general agreement on tariffs and trade enables the United Kingdom to impose restrictions on imports of sheepmeat from New Zealand.
§ Mr. ParkinsonAny restrictions on imports of sheepmeat from New Zealand would need to be considered under Community procedures. The Community's obligations under the general agreement on tariffs and trade10W (GATT) prohibit, in normal circumstances, the unilateral imposition of quantitative restrictions. Moreover, the Community could not increase its tariff on sheepmeat imports without negotiating out of its GATT commitments on this tariff. Negotiations are in progress with New Zealand for a voluntary restraint agreement, consistent with international obligations, in respect of her exports of sheepmeat to the Community, in return for a reduction in the Community's sheepmeat tariff.
§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) what is his estimate of the reduction which has taken place in United Kingdom exports to New Zealand as a result of the loss of New Zealand earnings on exports of cheese to the United Kingdom following United Kingdom entry to the European Economic Community ;
(2) what is his estimate of the reduction which has taken place in United Kingdom exports to New Zealand as a result of the loss of New Zealand earnings on exports of lamb, in terms of both quantity and price following United Kingdom entry into the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. ParkinsonThe United Kingdom has maintained healthy levels of exports to New Zealand since entry into the EEC There is no means of isolating the effect of any one factor on the level of such exports.
§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for Trade what has been the effect on the frequency and cost of shipping from New Zealand as a result of the restrictions placed by the European Economic Community on United Kingdom imports from New Zealand ; and what effect this has had on United Kingdom exports.
§ Mr. ParkinsonI understand from the shipping lines concerned that the current EEC restrictions on imports of New Zealand butter and cheese have had some effect upon the frequency and cost of shipping services from New Zealand. It is not possible for the Government to quantify these effects. There is no clear evidence to suggest that United Kingdom exports to New Zealand have been adversely affected.
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