2.53 p.m.
My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
The Question was as follows:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the Japanese Government about delays imposed at Japanese ports of entry against United Kingdom food and other imports.
My Lords, no recent cases have been drawn to the attention of the Government. The Department of Trade is always ready to examine specific problems and take them up with the Japanese authorities as appropriate.
My Lords, is it not true that the imbalance of trade between this country and Japan is very great indeed, particularly as a result of the heavy imports of cars from that country? Will my noble friend not consider further efforts?—because many of our struggling food, confectionery and other manufacturers meet difficulties and delays with the Japanese customs over petty points, and it is important that our exports to that country should be increased in order to offset the imbalance of trade.
My Lords, my noble friend is quite right in what he says. There is an imbalance of trade with Japan which so far this year has amounted to nearly £1,000 million. There are tariff barriers in respect of whisky and confectionery and, indeed, certain other products, as my noble friend said; and a number of non-tariff barriers which cause us certain concern—for example, on standards relating to pharmaceuticals. As my noble friend also said, the trade imbalance is, in the main, created by cars and consumer electronics.