§ 4. Mr. E. Johnsonasked the President of the Board of Trade what consultations he held with members of the Waste Trade Federation before allowing the importation of Japanese wiping rags under open general licence; and what steps he is taking to protect firms engaged in the general waste reclamation trade against the dumping of these articles.
§ Mr. Vaughan-MorganNone, Sir. I have at present no evidence of dumping, but it is, of course, open to the industry to present its case.
§ Mr. Johnsonis my hon. Friend aware that the importation of these very cheap Japanese wiping rags has grave consequences for firms which were engaged in this reclamation trade before the war? Will he consult the trade further about the matter and at least give an assurance that he will take action if the firms concerned are threatened by this dumping?
§ Mr. Vaughan-MorganIf they consider that they are threatened by the dumping, it is. I think, for them, in the first instance, if they are the injured party, to take the necessary steps to put the matter before the Board of Trade. I would remind my hon. Friend that this is one of many commodities used by industry which were put on open general licence on 1st August. 1957, as part of our policy of removing import controls as the balance of payments permits.