HC Deb 26 April 1967 vol 745 cc1595-6
37. Mr. Arthur Davidson

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the estimated figure of imports from Portugal of doubled yarns and finished items he expects in 1967.

Mr. Jay

I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Oldham, West (Mr. Hale) on 15th March.—[Vol. 743 c. 574–5.]

Mr. Davidson

Would not my right hon. Friend agree that any increase in imports from Portugal of these particular categories would have a disproportionately disastrous effect in Lancashire? Would he bargain even harder than he has done to ensure that this does not happen?

Mr. Jay

I paid special attention to these particular categories of imports in my discussions with Portuguese Ministers as long ago as last October.

Mr. Mapp

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, despite what was said a moment or two ago, there is quite clear and emphatic evidence of a two-pricing system for goods sent from Portugal to countries in E.F.T.A.? If he does not have that evidence, I shall be glad to send it to him this evening to make sure that he does have it.

Mr. Jay

I shall be very grateful to receive it. But if my hon. Friend has anti-dumping in mind, one has to prove, not merely the conditions about price, but also material injury to the industry at home.

Mr. McMaster

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in Portugal many children are employed in these industries and that the wage rates are among the lowest in the world?

Mr. Robert Howarth

Would my right hon. Friend bear in mind the need to phase the level of imports so that there is not bunching at particular times of the year, which has a serious effect on one particular section of the industry?

Mr. Jay

Yes. That was also taken into account in my discussions with the Portuguese Minister concerned.

Mr. Fletcher-Cooke

If the right hon. Gentleman cannot give any further details of the agreement, would he undertake to report on its working—if he is still here so to report—at regular intervals, because we must know how the expectations which he has held out to us all are going?

Mr. Jay

I will certainly give all the information which I can to the hon. Gentleman so long as he is here in the House.