§ Mr. Lathamasked the Minister for Trade to what factors he attributes the imbalance in terms of trade by which British cars exported to Spain attract a duty of 36.7 per cent., whereas Spanish-made cars imported into the United Kingdom attract 4.4 per cent. duty; and whether he will now take steps to correct this imbalance.
§ Mr. Sproat:The tariff imbalance arises from the 1970 agreement between the Community and Spain, which is now outdated but still in force. The failure of attempts to renegotiate it adds to the urgency of completing the current negotiations for Spain's accession to the Community. Meanwhile the Government are acutely conscious of the tariff imbalance, and will neglect no opportunity of seeking to correct it.