HL Deb 16 July 1992 vol 539 cc43-4WA
Lord Judd

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether, during the United Kingdom presi-dency of the Council of Ministers, they will seek to make effective arrangements to monitor and report on the trade diversion effect of the Single Market on poor developing countries.

Baroness Denton of Wakefield

The Government do not consider that completion of the Single Market will have the effect of diverting trade away from developing countries. Removal of internal barriers within the European Community will make it easier for all traders, including developing country ex-porters, to do business throughout the Community. Completion of the Single Market does not entail erection of new external trade harriers: on the contrary, the Community is negotiating in the GATT Uruguay Round for further opening of markets and reduction of existing trade barriers, including improved access for tropical products and opening of markets in agriculture.