Annex D
TRADE AND EU ENLARGEMENT
Industrial and Trade Relations with Japan, Eleventh
Report of 1997-98, HC 568: Government Response, Seventh Special
Report, EC 1130
1. The Committee decided to undertake an
inquiry into trade with Japan as the first of its trade-related
inquiries, in view of the importance to the UK of the trading
relationship, its reputation as a difficult market, and the significance
of Japanese inward investment into the UK. It held three sessions
of evidence, spent a week in Japan in March 1998, and reported
in July 1998.
2. The Report drew attention to a number
of general issues, including deregulation and the strength of
sterling, and made a number of detailed recommendations, including
on chargeable market reports. The Report also raised the question
of substitution of high for intermediate level nuclear waste to
be returned to Japan by BNFL.
3. The Government's Reply, received in October
1998, described the Report as "a fair and well balanced reflection
of trade relations with Japan" and had "no arguments
with the conclusions reached".
4. In addition to the exercise now being
conducted, the Committee continues to receive papers on the subject
from a number of those engaged in trade relations with Japan.
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