HC Deb 10 July 1996 vol 281 cc225-6W
Mr. Austin Mitchell

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what assessment he has made of how fish importers can verify EUR1 certificates issued by customs of exporting countries of fish or prawns; [35653]

(2) what assessment he has made of how fish importers can verify the origins of imported fish and prawns under the present EUR1 certificate system. [35652]

Mr. Heathcoat-Amory

Advice to importers is set out in customs notice 826. This recognises the difficulties that importers may experience in trying to establish whether a certificate is valid or whether goods shown on it are eligible for preferential tariff treatment. The notice warns of the potential further duty liability and advises importers to consider the advantages of including a clause in their contracts allowing them to recover any such duty charge from the supplier. Whether importers chose to take precautions against such business risks is, however, a matter of commercial judgment.

Mr. Mitchell

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to claim compensation for inaccurate EUR1 certificates from the customs offices of exporting countries. [35522]

Mr. Heathcoat-Amory

The trade agreements between the European Community and third countries do not provide for the payment of compensation.

Mr. Mitchell

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what redress his Department(a) has taken and (b) proposes to take against customs offices of an exporting country who issue EUR1 certificates which turn out to be inaccurate. [35577]

Mr. Heathcoat-Amory

The UK has made strong representations concerning these difficulties at EC meetings and gained considerable support from other member states. At the end of May, the Council of Ministers asked the Commission to produce proposals by 31 December 1996, taking into consideration suggestions by the UK and other member states, to tackle the problem of retrospective duty demands arising from inaccurate preference documents.

Mr. Mitchell

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proposals he has to eradicate fraud in respect of the issuing of invalid EUR1 certificates. [35521]

Mr. Heathcoat-Amory

The customs authorities in the country of export are responsible for issuing EUR1s, verifying any certificates returned by foreign import authorities and considering sanctions against exporters who abuse the system. Customs confirms that appropriate action is taken against UK exporters who are found to have made false EUR1 declarations.