HC Deb 15 February 1983 vol 37 cc112-3W
Mr. Woolmer

asked the Minister for Trade (1) if he will list the details of any formal or informal non-tariff restriction or limitation on trade currently in operation involving United Kingdom exports and imports, giving the dates on which each such restriction commenced, and where appropriate on which they were significantly amended, giving a brief description of the nature of each restriction and the value of the United Kingdom exports and imports involved in each case for 1982;

(2) if he will state the value in constant prices of United Kingdom imports and of United Kingdom exports, respectively, subjected to formal or informal trade restrictions in 1970, 1975, 1980 and for the latest available year.

Mr. Peter Rees

[pursuant to his reply, 14 February 1983, c. 63.]: I regret that the information requested cannot be provided in the form requested except at disproportionate cost.

Details of goods which may only be imported under the authority of individual licences issued by my Department are listed in the open general import licence dated 8 August 1980 and its amendments. Information about quotas is published in notices to importers in my Department's weekly journal British business. Copies of the licence and its amendments, and of the journal are available from Her Majesty's Stationery Office and are in the Library of the House.

As well as those import restrictions operated by my Department there are a number of products whose importation is covered by separate legislation administered by the Home Office, the Health and Safety Executive, the Department of the Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

In addition, certain inter-industry arrangements exist which are negotiated between the industries concerned, and there are a number of formal voluntary restraint arrangements which are negotiated on behalf of the United Kingdom by the European Commission.

United Kingdom goods subject to export control are listed in the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1981 (S.I. 1981/1641), a copy of which is available in the Library of the House.

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