17. Mr. Vaneasked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development whether he has considered the unfair basis of trading adopted by the Republic of Ireland in exporting chipboard to this country, where no import duty is payable, at artificially low 1346 prices, while imposing duty of 22½ percent, on similar material manufactured in this country and imported into Eire; and what action he is taking to protect the British industry.
Mr. VaneI thank my right hon. Friend for that Answer. Other considerations apart, will he not allow these negotiations to go on for too long? Would not developments within our home industry, if not impeded by arrangements such as those to which the Question refers, bring additional employment to areas where it would be particularly welcomed.