§ 52. Mr. Blytonasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the cost of fuel oil imported into the United Kingdom is at present less than that of crude oil; and, in view of the effect of this on the coal industry, if he will take action under the Customs Duties (Dumping and Subsidies) Act in this matter.
§ Sir D. EcclesThe Board of Trade has not received any application for the imposition of an anti-dumping duty on imported fuel oil. The fact that imported fuel oil may cost less than crude oil does not constitute dumping. Indeed, I understand that fuel oil has been priced below crude oil for many years. To establish dumping it would have to be shown that the export price of fuel oil was lower than the domestic price for that oil in the country of origin or export.