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Mr. Wigley
asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will make a statement concerning the present and future control of scrap exports to other member States in the EEC.
Mr. Meacher
The European Treaties establish unrestricted trade in scrap between member States. With the ending of the transitional period provided for the United Kingdom by the Treaty of Accession restrictions on trade in scrap between the United Kingdom and other member countries have now been removed. The operative dates were 1st January 1973 for non-ferrous scrap and 1st January 1975 for ferrous scrap. If significant shortages were to recur in the United Kingdom the Government would seek whatever remedy seemed most appropriate and if necessary seek a derogation from the Treaty.