§ 17. Mr. Gregoryasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he last met the president of the Cocoa, Chocolate and Confectionery Alliance; what was discussed; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. FennerMy right hon. Friend last met the president of the Cocoa, Chocolate and Confectionery Alliance on 25 October when he addressed the annual luncheon of the alliance on a wide range of issues of concern to the confectionery industry.
§ Mr. GregoryI am grateful to my hon. Friend for that comment. Will she take on board the need to stop the dumping of non-EEC confectionery, which is undermining employment in this country because bags of sugar confectionery are being sold into the wholesale trade at 9p a bag to retail at 20p, as opposed to double that price for United Kingdom confectionery?
§ Mrs. FennerThere are well-established rules which govern international trade. Imports from third countries are subject to import duties. Any substantiated evidence of unfair competition will be urgently examined. I trust that my hon. Friend will bring it before my Department.