To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what plans he has to seek to secure the reduction of US import tariffs on catering products; and if he will make a statement. (226150)

Reduction in global tariffs, including those applied by the US on imports of catering products, are being negotiated through the multilateral Doha Development Agenda trade talks. If an agreement is concluded on the basis of current proposals US tariffs on catering goods will fall to below 8 per cent.