29 APRIL 1989, Page 26

What separates us

Sir: It is often forgotten that until 1 January 1973 the UK formed part of Efta

LETTERS

It is also little known that on that same date practically all restrictions on trade in manufactured goods between Efta and the EEC countries were removed.

If for political reasons our continued membership of the EEC becomes unwork- able, as seems increasingly probable, there would be little loss for most of us and enormous economic gains, such as remov- ing ourselves from the Common External Tariff on one hand and the dear food, hence higher wage rates, of the CAP on the other, if we retraced our steps and rejoined Efta.

Oliver Smedley

Garden Cottage, Duck Street, Wendens Ambo, Saffron Walden, Essex