HC Deb 31 July 1997 vol 299 cc444-5W
Mrs. Gillan

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to receive the European Commission's report on the abuse of the generalised system of preferences. [10141]

Dawn Primarolo

[holding answer 22 July 1997]: The European Commission has indicated that its study on the post-clearance recovery of customs debts associated with preferential customs schemes—including the generalised system of preferences—will be published in the early autumn.

Mrs. Gillan

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of United Kingdom businesses affected by claims to retrospective duties arising from irregularities found in origin certificates issued by developing countries under the generalised system of preferences. [10143]

Dawn Primarolo

[holding answer 22 July 1997]: In the 12 months ending 30 June 1997, some 70 UK businesses were notified of a duty liability as a result of invalid claims to preferential rates of duty under the generalised system of preferences.

Mrs. Gillan

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the level of outstanding duty arising from the irregularities found in origin certificates issued by developing countries under the generalised system of preferences. [10142]

Dawn Primarolo

[holding answer 22 July 1997]: Approximately £1,600,000 duty is outstanding in respect of irregularities found in the past five years in origin certificates issued under the generalised system of preferences.

Mrs. Gillan

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to ensure that an agreement made between Bangladesh and the EC concerning invalid origin certificates under the generalised system of preferences does not disadvantage United Kingdom businesses. [10144]

Dawn Primarolo

[holding answer 22 July 1997]: Importers in a number of member states have received invalid origin certificates from Bangladesh. Her Majesty's Customs and Excise will seek to ensure that action taken in respect of these documents is consistent throughout the Community and it will continue to press for a fair and equitable solution to the problem.