§ 1. Mr. Peter Bottomleyasked the Secretary of State for Trade what applications in respect of the dumping of paper and board products he has received in the last month.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Trade (Mr. Eric Deakins)My Department has received no formal applications for action against either dumped or subsidised paper and board products.
§ Mr. BottomleyI am grateful to the hon. Gentleman. Are the Government aware of the importance of effective and timely measures against dumping? Will the hon. Gentleman assure the House that any applications to prevent it will be dealt with promptly?
§ Mr. DeakinsI can give that assurance, certainly.
§ Mr. OvendenIs my hon. Friend aware that there are proposals to construct tissue mills in Spain and Greece and that unless action is taken to prevent possible dumping from those sources the jobs of many workers in the British paper industry will be in danger? Will he seek to open negotiations with our Common Market partners about action that can be taken against these two countries, should the need arise, as they both have special trading arrangements with the EEC?
§ Mr. DeakinsI am aware of the industry's concern about this, and I can assure my hon. Friend that my officials and those of the Department of Industry are closely in touch with the home industry and the trade association. We have had talks covering the possibility that some imports from our non-traditional suppliers may be either dumped or subsidised. I understand that the industry is looking more closely at some of the details that we shall require before deciding whether to pursue a case under the anti-dumping legislation.