asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether the Government have considered the effects upon the industrial exports of this country of the dismantling of industrial tariffs by EFTA countries; and if so, if he will state the extent to which such exports will be affected.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tariff Dismantling: Effect on Exports.
39.
Mr. Ryan
The dismantling of industrial tariffs among themselves by the member countries of the European Free Trade Association will result in the gradual loss of the tariff preference which most of our industrial exports have enjoyed in the British market over the products of the Continental member countries of EFTA. In the markets of these latter countries, our industrial exports will be at a disadvantage, where tariffs are applied, as compared with the products of the member states which will eventually be tariff-free.
The effect of the EFTA tariff reductions on our exports of industrial goods will depend on our ability to produce and market goods which, by virtue of their quality and price, can, in the case of the British market, compete on level terms not only with the domestic product, as they have been doing with increasing success in recent years, but also with the products of the Continental members of EFTA. As regards the latter countries, to which our exports have not been substantial, it will be necessary if we are to maintain or expand these exports to overcome the tariff advantage which most of the products of the member states will enjoy.