HC Deb 14 March 1990 vol 169 cc296-7W
42. Mr. Tony Banks

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will discuss with his EEC counterparts the possibility of introducing trade sanctions against Japan.

Mr. Redwood

No. Imposing trade sanctions against Japan would contravene the international obligations of both the United Kingdom and our Community partners under the general agreement on tariffs and trade. In 1989, United Kingdom exports to Japan increased by 30.1 per cent. to £2.3 billion compared with 1988, a growth rate over three times faster than Japan's exports to the United Kingdom.

63. Mr. Yeo

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received regarding access for British exporters to the Japanese market.

Mr. Redwood

The Government attach great importance to Britain's trade with Japan. Representations on market access are received from British companies from time to time and, where appropriate, we take them up vigorously with the Japanese authorities, both directly and through the European Commission.

In January our exports to Japan increased in value by 27.4 per cent. compared with the same month last year.