§ Mr. CryerTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the current state of negotiations in the GATT, listing the tariffs concessions so far agreed.
§ Mr. NeedhamThe GATT Uruguay round of multilateral trade negotiations was substantively concluded on 15 December. Tariff concessions tabled at that date cannot be withdrawn but may be improved up to 15 February, the deadline for the submission to the GATT secretariat of final schedules of tariff reductions. The European Community is seeking improvements where possible in the concessions offered by other countries and in particular from India, Pakistan and Indonesia on textiles and clothing.
Eighty-seven participants in the round, including the European Community, have so far lodged draft schedules of tariff concessions with the GATT secretariat in Geneva where comprehensive details, which are too extensive to list, are held. My Department's international trade policy division has received some schedules. Inquiries about particular concessions may be addressed to it.