§ Mrs. MayTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the Government's policy on the European Commission's stance on the United States proposal to exempt international trade on the Internet from customs duties; and if the Government will be pursuing this issue through the World Trade Organisation. [37584]
348W
§ Mrs. Roche[holding answer 6 April 1998]: The EU and the US agreed a joint statement on electronic commerce at their summit last December. This included an agreement to work as soon as possible toward a global understanding that there would continue to be no customs duties on electronic transmissions. This remains the Government's policy. The treatment of electronic commerce in the World Trade Organisation is currently being pursued by the Government in discussion with the European Commission and other EU Member States.