HC Deb 08 July 1987 vol 119 cc173-4W
20. Mr. Fry

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he has been able to obtain from Japanese Government sources the size of individual quotas granted to Japanese importers of British leather and leather goods; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Alan Clark

No, we have not. We regard the operation of the Japanese quota system for leather and leather goods as highly unsatisfactory, and the European Commission has recently agreed to take up the matter with the Japanese Government.

24. Mr. Cox

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on future trade policy with Japan.

Mr. Alan Clark

The Government remain seriously concerned at Japan's low propensity to import. We will continue to press Japan bilaterally and through the Community to open her markets further and to implement overdue structural and macro economic changes.

40. Mr. Chapman

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on progress in ensuring United Kingdom goods and services have equal access into Japan as Japanese goods and services into the United Kingdom.

Mr. Alan Clark

We are continuing to press for better access to Japan for British goods and services. In the financial area, the recent bilateral consultations on access made good progress. But in all sectors, we still look to Japan for further measures to make her markets as open as those of the United Kingdom.

53. Mr. Andrew MacKay

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on trade with Japan.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

The Government remain concerned at Japan's low propensity to import. We will continue to press Japan bilaterally and through the Community to open her market further and to implement overdue structural and macro economic changes.

59. Mrs. Margaret Ewing

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will take steps to discuss with the Japanese Government the level of tax levied on imports of Scotch whisky.

Mr. Alan Clark

As a result of United Kingdom pressure the European Community has, after unsatisfactory negotiations with the Japanese Government, taken Japan's discriminatory tax and duties on alcoholic drinks to the GATT. We expect the GATT panel's report towards the end of August.