TNAG-0465-FCO40-530-Entitlement-of-Hong-Kong-to-EEC-Generalised-Scheme-of-Prefer-1974 — Page 33

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HONG KONG GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES

Thu. Tishup Mu. Studi Clart

Mr Hanna

PARLIAMENTARY INFORMATION

19th November, 1974.

511/12

No. 79.

RECEIVE REGISTRY Di

21 NOV 1974

Juck G / 598/1

Oral Answers to Parliamentary Questions

in the House of Commons on 18th November 1974

MR. ROPER (Labour, Farnworth): asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will make a statement on the improvements in the European Communities' generalised scheme of preferences offered to developing countries for next year.

MR. SHORE (Secretary of State for Trade): At its meeting of 12th November the EEC Council of Ministers agreed on improvements to the Community's Generalised Preference Scheme for 1975. I am pleased to say that a number of these will be of help to developing Common- wealth countries in Asia. Furthermore, the Council has agreed to a fundamental review early next year of the Community's strategy for the future development of the scheme. I will circulate the details of these

conclusions in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

MR. ROPER : May I congratulate my right hon. Friend on his success in these negotiations?

Does he agree

that the extension of the generalised scheme to agricultural products represents an important success? Is this not in itself one step forward in our renegotiation of the terms of entry?

MR. SHORE : I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his kind remarks. While it is welcome that some agricultural products should be included, the House must be made aware that it is a very modest step.

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