HC Deb 01 June 1981 vol 5 c235W
40. Mr. Shersby

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what effects he anticipates the cargo-sharing provision of the UNCTAD liner code will have on the United Kingdom's third country trade; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Eyre

In acceding to the UNCTAD liner code, the United Kingdom, together with the other EC countries, will have to comply with EC Regulation No. 954/79. This will have the effect of disapplying the cargo sharing provisions of the code as far as reciprocating OECD member countries are concerned. This, together with the fact that much of our present trade with developing countries is already shared on something like this basis, means that the code will have little substantial effect on United Kingdom trade with other countries. It is much more difficult to estimate what effects the code may have on trade between third countries; but it does allow for a share for third country shipping lines.