HC Deb 06 December 1982 vol 33 c364W
Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Minister for Trade if any evidence exists of third countries which have concluded voluntary restraint agreements with the Common Market exceeding their agreed quotas to any significant degree.

Mr. Peter Rees

[pursuant to the reply, 29 November 1982, c. 64.]: The Community has voluntary restraint agreements with third countries covering trade with the United Kingdom in textiles, footwear and steel. Over recent years there have been no significant breaches of these arrangements for the textiles and footwear sectors. Breaches by Bulgaria and Czechoslovakia have occurred in the steel sector but have led to the introduction of formal quotas. There have been similar difficulties with Spain in the steel sector but the Spanish authorities have agreed to take the necessary steps to bring matters under control. I cannot speak in respect of restraint arrangements concluded by the Commission on behalf of other menbers of the Community.

Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Minister for Trade what was the total value of exports of manufactured goods to the original six members of the Common Market in the most recent annual period for which figures are available; what were the comparable figures in the comparable period in 1973; if he will provide figures of imports of manufactured goods from the six member States in each period, respectively; and if he will express each total as a percentage of total United Kingdom exports and imports of manufactured goods.

Mr. Peter Rees

[pursuant to the reply, 2 December 1982, c. 240]: The information is as follows: