§ Mr. Oakesasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will investigate the restrictions placed on the export of British caravans to France by the regulations of type approval imposed by the French Government.
§ Mr. ChannonIn the absence of relevant Community standards, all member States are at liberty to regulate type approval for caravans, provided this does not constitute an arbitrary discrimination or disguised restriction on trade between them. I have received no evidence that French requirements are having this effect; but if such evidence is available to the hon. Member I shall, of course, certainly be ready to consider it.
§ Mr. Oakesasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many caravans manufactured in Great Britain were exported to France in each of the last five years; and how many caravans manufactured in France were imported.
§ Mr. ChannonThe available information is as follows:
(Numbers in thousands) 1979 1980 1981 1982 *1983 United Kingdom exports to France 5.1 4.5 4.1 4.0 3.6 United Kingdom imports from France 2.4 3.7 3.6 3.9 3.1 * Provisional. Source: Data corresponding to SITC/R2 Item 786.11 in the United Kingdom Overseas Trade Statistics (trailers and semi-trailers of the caravan type for housing or camping).
Notes:
(a) Figures exclude motorised caravans.
(b) Export figures are on a country of destination basis and do not distinguish between United Kingdom manufactured items and re-exports.
(c) Imports figures are on a country of origin basis and may include caravans initially manufactured in third countries which last underwent substantial processing in France as well as those wholly manufactured there.