TNAG-0300-FCO40-336-Entitlement-of-Hong-Kong-to-generalized-tariffs-preferences--1971 — Page 182

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Written Answers

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Livingstone

5 APRIL 1971

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 9 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.

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Written Answers

Insurance Law (Changes)

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 Anformation:

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

1.

虐

Compulsory Liquida-

tions'.

Voluntary Liquidations

Creditors' Members*

T

95 130

1971

January

358.

J. February March

101 12:0 128

244

b N/A*

N/A*

N/A*.

1970

11: 1st quarter

*... t 318 ngj ! 663 iy. i 1,146 ·

2nd quarter

339

¡ 627 1,239*

• N/A

3rd quarter... 4th quarter...

Total for 1970 1,269

Not available

169

575

443

555

1,144 1,138

2,420

4,667

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.

J

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RECEIVED IN REGISTRY No.43 -ZAPR 1971

MTU 15/393/1

DATE 5. APR. 71

COL 25

VOL. 815

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