§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Trade what was the value and volume of imports of pepper into the United Kingdom in each of the past three years.
265W
§ Mr. Peter ReesPepper of the genus piper and pimento of the genera capsicum and pimenta comprise SITC(R2) Sub-group 075.1 in theOverseas Trade Statistics. Information on imports under this heading may be found in table III and—in more detailed form—table IV of that publication. The last three years for which complete information is available are 1978, 1979 and 1980.
§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Trade what rate of tariff or excise has been levied on imports of pepper in each of the past three years.
§ Mr. Peter ReesNo excise duties have been charged on pepper during the last three years. The full rates of customs duty applicable throughout the period 1979 to 1981 inclusive were as follows
Tariff heading, Description and Rate of Dutyex 09.04A Pepper of the genus "Piper", neither crushed nor ground:
—for the industrial manufacture of essential oils or resinoids—Free—other—10 per cent. (a)(b)(d)ex 09.04B Pepper of the genus "Piper", crushed or ground—12.5 per cent. (a)(c)(d)
ex 12.07 Pepper of the variety "Piper longum"—Free used primarily in perfumery, in pharmacy or for insecticidal fungicidal or similar purposes, fresh or dried, whole cut ground or powdered
- (a) Imports of pepper originating in the African, Caribbean and Pacific—ACP—States and overseas countries and territories—OCTs—were free of customs duties.
- (b) Pepper originating in developing countries which benefit from the European Communities generalised tariff preferences—GSP countries—attracted a rate of duty of 5 per cent.
- (c) Pepper originating in GSP countries attracted a rate of duty of 7 per cent. in 1979 and 1980 and 5 per cent. in 1981.
- (d) Pepper originating in certain other countries with which the European Community has preferential trading arrangements attracted various reduced rates of duty.