HC Deb 06 February 1978 vol 943 cc994-5
4. Mr. Madden

asked the Secretary of State for Trade how many officials in his Department are engaged wholly on matters related to import substitution.

Mr. Meacher

Import substitution is an inseparable part of work by officials on both external and internal commercial policies; none has it as his sole responsibility.

Mr. Madden

Does the Minister think that that is good enough at a time when import penetration is making itself felt in areas such as commercial vehicles and components, where we have previously been able to resist it? Does he not think that the time has come for a rigorous attack to reduce imports in order to maximise the gains from exports?

Mr. Meacher

I agree that we should have a rigorous attack in the form of major import substitution. That is a major part of our industrial strategy. The sector working parties have prepared home and overseas market sales objectives, and I am glad to be able to say that we are beginning to discuss them at individual company level, which is where the real decisions are made.