§ Mr. Marlowasked the Minister for Trade what action is taken in the United Kingdom to verify that goods imported into other European Economic Community countries and then shipped to the United Kingdom are not in contravention of any trade agreements.
§ Mr. Peter ReesWhere trade agreements exist to limit direct imports of particular goods from third countries into a member state of the European Community, the European Commission may, under article 115 of the treaty of Rome, authorise the monitoring of indirect imports of such goods which are in free circulation in other member states. The United Kingdom has sought and obtained such authority for a variety of goods which are subject to quota restrictions in the United Kingdom. These indirect imports are subject to import licences issued by my Department and are closely monitored to ensure that they do not seriously undermine the agreed quantitative limits.