HL Deb 21 October 1980 vol 413 cc1923-4WA
Lord BROCKWAY

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether representatives of the EEC and Zimbabwe have agreed on the terms of the latter's accession to the Lomé Convention; how far they affect the export of sugar and tobacco; and whether and when Her Majesty's Government will ask Parliament to ratify the agreement.

Lord TREFGARNE

Final agreement on the terms of Zimbabwe's accession to the Lomé Convention was reached on 8th October. Zimbabwe will be able to export tobacco freely to the Community, subject to the safeguard provisions in the Convention. From 1st July 1982 at the latest Zimbabwe will be able to sell 25,000 tonnes of sugar annually to the Community. Once the accession agreement is signed Her Majesty's Government will set the normal ratification procedures in motion.