§ Mr. CorbettTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the details of the outcome of negotiations with the European Community on revision of the generalised system of preferences scheme and its impact upon paper products.
§ Mr. Ian TaylorNegotiations on the European Community's new generalised system of preferences were concluded on 19 December 1994. Paper products are classified in chapters 47 to 49 of the common customs tariff. All imports of such products classified in chapter356W 47 enter the Community free of duty. Paper products in chapter 48 of the tariff, imported from developing countries under the GSP scheme, enter the Community free of duty. Of those products in chapter 49 of the tariff, which are subject to duty, most are on the list of products categorised as being "sensitive" for Community industry. Imports of these products from GSP countries will therefore be charged 70 per cent. of the normal duty. Because imports of paper products from Brazil have become highly competitive, they will no longer be eligible for GSP benefits from 1 January 1996.