asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the current position over the different import duties on semiconductors and built-up circuit boards.

The United Kingdom has long pressed for a reduction in the excessive level of import duty on semiconductors, with some success; the Community tariff on individual components was reduced from 17 per cent. to 14 per cent. during 1986. We hope to secure a further reduction during the Uruguay round of multilateral trade negotiations.