§ 41. Major Legge-Bourkeasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will take immediate action to stop the practice whereby the French Government by deferring payment until several months after delivery, are subsidising the transport costs on French cider apples destined for this country, so avoiding United Kingdom anti-dumping legislation.
§ Mr. J. RodgersNo. Sir, but if the United Kingdom growers would let me have detailed information about the subsidisation arrangements to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers and of the material injury it is causing, I will consider it.
§ Major Legge-BourkeIs my hon. Friend aware that the French have just announced last month that they are providing subsidies for the transport cost of cider apples equivalent to £5,000 a week and that during October approximately £4,000 worth a week came into the country? Would my hon. Friend look at this matter and be ready to implement the anti-dumping legislation?
§ Mr. RodgersI should be grateful if my hon. and gallant Friend would provide evidence of what he has just quoted. The initiative for action under the Customs Duties (Dumping and Subsidies) Act rests with the industry which considers itself injured by dumping or subsidisation. There has been no application or inquiry in respect of cider apples from France.