§ Mr. ChopeTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on what date he expects the European Union to introduce a banana regime which is in compliance with the ruling of the World Trade Organisation. [83310]
§ Mr. Wilson[holding answer 5 May 1999]: It is unclear how quickly the European Union can amend the banana regime to bring it into compliance with the ruling of the World Trade Organisation. The Council has asked the Commission to provide proposals by the end of May. However, the forthcoming elections to the European Parliament are likely to delay their approval of a new regime until at least September. In the meantime, we are
85Wpressing the Commission to find an interim arrangement which could be agreed quickly and which would displace US retaliation against EU industries.
§ Mr. ChopeTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will estimate how many British jobs have been put at risk by the trade sanctions of the United States authorised by the Word Trade Organisation. [83311]
§ Mr. Wilson[holding answer 5 May 1999]: In terms of the historical levels of exports to the US in each sector, it is not possible to say what the overall impact on British jobs might be. Much depends on how long the retaliatory measures remain in place, the ability of affected businesses to find alternative customers for their products, the extent to which orders have been brought forward before these measures took effect and local labour market conditions.