Examination of Witnesses (Questions 160-161)
4 MAY 2004
MR CHRIS
TYAS, MS
JILL ARDAGH
AND MR
RICHARD LAMING
Q160 Alan Simpson: I would just make
the point that Oxfam are quite specific in talking about the damage
done in terms of export refunds to the confectionery industry
in parts of southern Africa. They recognise that there are two
different dimensions to it, but it would be wrong to suggest that
they are not critical of both.
Mr Tyas: All we seek is a level
playing field.
Q161 Mr Drew: Is not part of the difficulty,
besides the moral issue of whether you should get export subsidies,
that this is an incredibly complicated mechanistic formula, the
traders in my constituency are anything to by. It is a capped
figure and you have to pre-bid for it. This is a very convoluted
process and surely if there were any form of competition, this
would be outwith that competition. Is that not true?
Mr Tyas: We would agree entirely
with you. It is a very complex system, as Richard commented earlier,
which has grown up over time and complexity has grown on top of
complexity, sometimes only to add administration and bureaucracy
to it. We just seek a level playing field with the minimum amount
of intervention and a transition period to get there. We suggested
five years.
Chairman: That is a very clear statement
of your position. Thank you all very much indeed.
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