asked the Minister for Trade (1) if he has made representations to the European Commission concerning the extension of the concessions in the EEC regulation No. 1028/79 to handicapped individuals importing goods from outside the European Community as well as approved organisations; and if he will make a statement;(2) on what date the United Kingdom ratified European Economic Community regulation No. 1028/79 of 8 May 1979 on the importation free of common customs tariff duties of articles for the use of handicapped persons; and if any member States have not yet ratified the regulation;(3) in the last year for which figures are available how many applications of relief for duty were made under EEC regulation No. 1028/79 on the importation free of common customs tariff duties of articles for the use of handicapped persons, annex E paragraph 1 and annex E paragraph 2, respectively; how many applications were approved under each paragraph; and if he will make a statement.

I shall reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.