§ Mr. BattleTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if any changes are planned in the collection of trade statistics after 1992.
§ Mr. MaudeA proposal for an EC Council regulation, which sets out a revised methodology for the collection of40W trade statistics between member states of the European Community after 1992 to replace the current procedure based on customs' documentation, has been prepared by the EC Commission and will be considered by EC Ministers over the coming months.
Trade statistics will continue to be collected both for intra-EC trade and for trade with third countries, but the level of detail for commodity classification will be the subject of related legislation and will be discussed by a working party of officials from member states later this year. The Government are seeking to ensure that the collection of these statistics does not impose unnecessary burdens on business involved in trade between member states.