HC Deb 10 January 1977 vol 923 c1037
17. Mr. Shersby

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will make a statement on the progress he has made to date in preventing the dumping of textiles into the United Kingdom.

Mr. Meacher

Anti-dumping duties have been imposed on ladies' rubberised raincoats from Hong Kong and on polyester fibre from Romania. Anti-dumping investigations are proceeding in cases on suits from Eastern European countries and on PVC-coated fabrics from Hungary and East Germany.

Mr. Shersby

Is the Minister aware that, as a result of competition from Hong Kong, a major section of the British shirt industry loses money on almost every shirt it produces? What does the hon. Gentleman intend to do about the situation, since it is obvious that we cannot allow it to continue any longer?

Mr. Meacher

I appreciate the severe difficulties that exist over the importation of shirts from Hong Kong. However, the hon. Gentleman's Question relates to the dumping of textiles. I do not think he is suggesting that these items are dumped. The subject of quotas is governed by the recent bilateral agreement entered into by the EEC in Hong Kong.

Mr. Tim Renton

Is the Minister also aware that the anti-dumping requirement that it is necessary to prove that a shirt sold here is cheaper than a similar item sold in Hong Kong is made even more difficult by the problem of comparability? Since we do not wear the same type of shirts as those worn by people in Hong Kong, how does the hon. Gentleman intend to tackle the problem?

Mr. Meacher

If we do not wear the same types of shirts as do people in Hong Kong, the problem does not arise because we do not import such items.