HC Deb 26 July 1985 vol 83 cc790-1W
Mr. Sheerman

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what information he has as to the percentage share of the tractor market held by Japanese imports in each of the member states of the EEC other than the United Kingdom;

(2) what was the percentage of imports of tractors contributed by Japanese imports to (a) Europe (EEC) and (b) the United Kingdom over the last years for which records are kept;

(3) what information he has as to the percentage share of the European tractor market currently held by Japanese imports.

Mr. Channon

Information on the total home markets is not available. Figures in respect of the import markets are in the table.

Imports of tractors* from Japan
Per cent of total imports†
1981 1982 1983
Belgium/Luxembourg 3.1 2.6 2.3
Denmark 2.5 1.1 0.9
France 7.1 6.7 7.6
FR Germany 2.8 3.1 2.5
Greece 4.2 2.8 8.1
Ireland 0.2 0.1 0.1
Italy 3.4 1.4 1.3
Netherlands 0.8 1.2 0.5
United Kingdom 3.2 2.3 2.3
European Community (10) 4.4 3.8 4.1
Western Europe 4.4 3.7 4.3
* Standard International Trade Classification, Subgroup 722.4
† In value terms.

Source: OECD Trade Series C.

Mr. Sheerman

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what was the percentage share of the tractor market held by Japanese imports in each of the European Economic Community member countries over the last 10 years;

(2) what is the percentage share of the British tractor market held by Japanese imports.

Mr. Channon

The share of the United Kingdom market was about 2 per cent. by value, in the year ending June 1984, the latest period for which there are figures. Information for other European Community countries is not available and figures for the United Kingdom market in earlier years are not immediately obtainable.

Mr. Sheerman

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what information he has as to the percentage of the Japanese market for tractors held by (a) British imports to Japan, (b) other European imports and (c) United States imports.

Mr. Channon

Data on the Japanese market (including home production) are not available. The shares of Japanese imports are in the table.

Japanese imports of tractors* 1984
Share† from Per cent.
United Kingdom 53

Share† from Per cent.
Other Western European countries 40
United States of America 6
* Standard International Trade Classification, Subgroup 722.4.
† In value terms.

Source: OECD Trade Series C.

Mr. Sheerman

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the current level of tariffs on Japanese tractor imports into the United Kingdom.

Mr. Channon

The rates of customs duty chargeable in 1985 on imports of tractors from Japan are:

Tariff Heading Description Rate per cent.
87.01 Tractors (other than those falling within heading 87.07), whether or not fitted with power take-offs, winches or pulleys:
A. Agricultural walking tractors, with either a spark ignition or a compression ignition engine, of a cylinder capacity of:
I. 1,000 cm 3 or less 4.8
II. More than 1,000 cm 3 6.6
B. Agricultural tractors (excluding walking tractors) and forestry tractors, wheeled: 10.9
C. Other:
I. Wheeled, for semi-trailers: 20.0
II. Other: 11.8
87.07 Works trucks, mechanically propelled, of the types used in factories, warehouses, dock areas or airports for short distance transport or handling of goods (for example, platform trucks, fork lift trucks, and straddle carriers); tractors of the type used on railway station platforms; parts of the foregoing vehicles:
C. Other trucks: Tractors;
I. Fitted with self-actuated lifting equipment: 5.4
II. Other: 6.9

Source: Her Majesty's Customs and Excise Tariff 1985.

Mr. Sheerman

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the current level of tariff on British exports of tractors into the Japanese market.

Mr. Channon

The bulk of British tractors imported into Japan are free of duty, the exception being those of four wheeled type road tractors with nominal horse power less than 50 hp not for agricultural use, which carry a duty of 5.8 per cent.

Mr. Sheerman

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on what occasions in the last 10 years United Kingdom Ministers have discussed Japanese agricultural machinery tractor exports to the United Kingdom and EEC with Japanese ministers.

Mr. Channon

This information is not available in the form requested but in recent years British Ministers have had frequent contacts with Japanese Ministers on a variety of topics.