HC Deb 10 July 1990 vol 176 cc139-40W
Mr. Allen

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the meetings of the Uruguay round at which the United Kingdom has been represented and the names of the United Kingdom representatives on each occasion.

Mr. Redwood

The United Kingdom participates in the GATT Uruguay round as a member of the European Community, and is represented at meetings by the European Commission. United Kingdom officials also attend all formal meetings as observers.

Mr. Allen

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the United Kingdom's policy in respect of eliminating farming subsidies via the Uruguay round; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Curry

I have been asked to reply.

All parties to the GATT round negotiation have agreed the long-term objective. It is to provide substantial progressive reductions in agricultural support and protection sustained over an agreed period of time, resulting in correcting and preventing restrictions and distortions in world agricultural markets". The United Kingdom attaches great importance to the success of the round as a whole, of which agriculture is a key element; and we are working hard with our EC partners and others to achieve this.