HC Deb 25 March 1985 vol 76 cc21-2W
Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the principles and operation of the inner German trade agreement; and if he is satisfied that its operation is not injurious to British trade and industry.

Mr. Channon

A protocol on German internal trade and connected problems forms an integral part of the EC treaty. The effect of internal German trade on other member states of the EC is subject to the provisions of this protocol. The protocol provides powers for the member states to take preventative measures should they encounter difficulties arising from such trade.

Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if any separate record is kept by Her Majesty's Government of the volume of exports from Germany which originate from East Germany and which have tariff and levy free access to the Common Market under the terms of the inner German trade agreement.

Mr. Channon

Her Majesty's Government maintained no records of trade conducted under the inner German trade agreement.

Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what has been the total value of imports from West Germany and East Germany, respectively, in each of the past 15 years; and how much of the West German total consists of goods which entered the Common Market through the inner German trade agreement.

Mr. Channon

Figures of United Kingdom imports from the Federal Republic of Germany and from the German Democratic Republic are shown in the table. The other information requested is not available.

United Kingdom Imports
£ Million OTS basis
Federal Republic of Germany German Democratic Republic
1970 549.5 16.1
1971 647.7 19.6
1972 840.7 21.7
1973 1,352.5 26.4
1974 1,908.7 44.1
1975 2,007.7 38.8
1976 2,772.8 60.4
1977 3,591.4 95.3
1978 4,498.3 88.4
1979 5,778.1 109.7
1980 5,654.1 88.1
1981 5,941.1 93.6,
1982 7,405.9 135.9
1983 9,665.7 167.6
1984 11,090.2 198.1

Source: Overseas Trade Statistics

Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if goods and materials entering Germany from East Germany in terms of the inner German trade agreement are subject to the Common Market's anti-dumping procedures; and if the Common Market Commission has any role in supervising these arrangements.

Mr. Channon

I shall reply to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.