Industry Council (Hansard, 14 March 1990)

§ 14. Mr. Graham
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what matters he expects to discuss at the next meeting of the EEC Industry Council.

§ Mr. Douglas Hogg
The next meeting of the EC Industry Council will be held on 28 May. It is provisionally scheduled to discuss audiovisual matters, industrial targeting in electronics, small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) Participation in Community research and development programmes and SME access to public procurement.
Moreover, as the hon. Gentleman is perhaps aware, there was also a meeting yesterday of the Industry Council, which discussed automobiles, shipbuilding, textiles, footwear, biotechnology and mining policy.

§ Mr. Graham
Is the Minister aware of the European study, which stated that the steel industry has a bright five years ahead of it? Will the hon. Gentleman stop procastinating about the Scottish steel industry and give it his full support to ensure that it takes part in that bright future and that steel workers who have given their all to this country remain in full employment?

§ Mr. Hogg
My advice to the hon. Gentleman is that he should not lead with his chins but reflect more carefully before he asks questions. British steelmaking is among the most productive and profitable in the European Community. Incidentally, I always take it well from hon. Members if they preface their remarks by telling us by how much unemployment has fallen in their constituencies in the past 12 months. The hon. Gentleman did not do that, but I will tell the House that in his constituency it has fallen by 21 per cent.

§ Mr. Allason
When my hon. Friend attends the EEC Industry Council, will he raise the issue of artificial obstacles to exports to Japan? Recently, a confectionery firm in the west country was required to obtain certificates from Harwell for each item of confectionery certifying that each item was not radioactive. There was also a requirement at the trade fair in Japan sponsored by the DTI demanding that the firm display a large sign over its stall stating that the items on show were not fit for human consumption and would be destroyed after the fair. Will my hon. Friend draw attention to that issue please?

§ Mr. Hogg
I cannot guarantee to do that, but I am grateful to my hon. Friend for raising the matter. It would be helpful if he drew it to the attention of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State. We are anxious for the Japanese to admit yet more British products into Japan and, so far, we have achieved considerable success. In the past 12 months, exports to Japan have increased by about one third. In the same period, the number of passenger cars imported into Japan from the United Kingdom increased by 75 per cent. If those figures are wrong, I will write to my hon. Friend.