§ 32. Miss Harvie Andersonasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will take steps to control the import of refrigerators, in view of the present threat to the home market and consequently to the United Kingdom export potential.
§ The Minister of State, Board of Trade (Mr. George Darling)No, imports of domestic refrigerators are subject to a duty of 4½ per cent. from European Free Trade Association countries and 12 per cent. from other countries outside the Commonwealth Preference Area, and all imports are at present subject to the 10 per cent. temporary import charge. Imports still amount to only about 8 per cent. of the home market and are less in value than our exports.
§ Miss Harvie AndersonIs the hon. Gentleman aware that imports amount to £1½ million for the present year? Is he further aware that exporters' rebate 342 in their own country amounts to 11 per cent. in the field of compressors and 6.6 per cent. for domestic refrigerator cabinets? Does he not think this excessive and will he undertake to re-examine the matter?
§ Mr. DarlingThe hon. Lady is referring to imports of Italian refrigerators. The British Government have made known to the Italian Government our doubts about the level of export rebate on goods containing iron and steel. This is now subject to the result of a case brought by the Commission of the European Economic Community before the Community's Court. We are awaiting the outcome of that consideration.