TNAG-0298-FCO40-334-Entitlement-of-Hong-Kong-to-generalized-tariffs-preferences--1971 — Page 31

25

Written Answers

5 APRIL 1971

Livingstone

Mr. Dalyell asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make an official visit to Livingston new town.

Mr. Anthony Grant: I am hoping to visit Scotland before long and I will bear ́Livingston in mind when drawing up my

programme.

Hong Kong

Mr. Blaker asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement about the latest position in the negotiations for the inclusion of Hong Kong in the United Nations Commission for Trade and Development generalised

· preference scheme.

Mr. Noble: Discussions on this ques- !tion are continuing.

Pinnock Finance

Mr. Blaker asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he can now give a precise date for publication of the inspector's report on Pinnock Finance.

Sir J. Eden: No, but I hope that the report will be published within the next two months.

E.F.T.A. (United Kingdom Exports)

Mr. Moate asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the per- centage increase in United Kingdom 'exports to the other member countries of the European Free Trade Associa- tion since the inception of that organisa- tion.

Mr. John Davies: 144 per cent. or 91 per cent. per annum, measured in dollar terms, between 1960 and 1970.

World Trade (United Kingdom Share)

Mr. Douglas asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish estimates of the United Kingdom share of world trade in total and in manufactures.

Mr. Noble: Provisional estimates for 1970 are 7.1 per cent. and 10-8 per cent. respectively, measured in terms of exports.

25 € 15

Written Answers

( 118 )

Insurance Law (Changes)

26

Dr. Gilbert asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proposals he now has for changes in the law relating to insurance.

Mr. John Davies: I am examining the adequacy of the controls applicable to insurers under the existing legislation. A review of this kind inevitably takes some time.

Liquidation

Mr. J. H. Osborn asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the level of voluntary and compulsory liquidation during the first quarter of 1971; and how this figure compares with that for each quarter in 1970.

Mr. John Davies: Following is the information:

Full figures for voluntary and compul- sory liquidations during the first quarter of 1971 are not yet available. The infor- mation available is:

2:

T

+

1971

January 1. February

1970

Compulsory Voluntary

Liquida Liquidations

tions

Creditors' Members'

}

༔ 95

*

101

130 128

358

1200

244

March

17:

N/A* N/A* 1.

N/A*.

1st quarter

1

318

663 to 1,146

-1

2nd quarter

339

6271,239 i'

3rd quarter...

169

575

4th quarter...

443

555

1,144 1,138

12

Total for 1970 1,269

2,420

4,667

едия

* N/A = Not available

Shoe Sizing (Uniform Systems) Sir G. de Freitas asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress has been made, with the assis- stance of his Department, in obtaining international acceptance of the uniform systems of shoe sizing developed by the Shoe and Allied Trades Association of Kettering.

Sir J. Eden: The system has been accepted in principle as the basis for an international system which is being worked out by the International Standards Organisation. Discussions are still con- tinuing regarding the details.

RECEIVED

16.55

DATES APR 71.

COL. 25

HKKGLL..

VOL.

815.

REGISTRYNO.C

RECEIVED IN