§ Mr. Proctorasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress is being made towards free and open trade in the European Community; what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government in this regard; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ChannonThe Government are fully committed to making a reality of the internal Community market through the removal of remaining obstacles to free trade in goods and services. Considerable attention has been given in the Community over the past year to the removal of obstacles to the free movement of goods. We support this. The Government are also pressing for equal attention to be given to liberalising trade in the services sector. The growth in the United Kingdom's trade with the rest of the Community from 31 per cent. of our total trade in 1972 to 43 per cent. in 1982 suggests that a great deal of trade within the Community is free and open. But much more remains to be done.