§ Mr. Michael Marshallasked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will take steps to avert the danger of dumped imports of non-alloy steel light sections and flats, originally intended for delivery in the Republic of Ireland, being deflected to the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. MeacherIf the hon. Member can provide me with firm evidence of likely diversion I shall be happy to look at it and take appropriate steps.
§ Mr. Michael Marshallasked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) what was the total tonnage of non-alloy steel light sections and flats imported from (a) Spain and (b) South Africa in each of the years 1973 to 1976; and what was the equivalent tonnage of home produced nonalloy steel light sections and flats for the same periods;
(2) what is his estimate of likely imports of non-alloy steel light sections and flats into the United Kingdom during the first quarter of 1977; and what is his estimate of the amounts of homeproduced non-alloy steel light sections and flats for the same period.
§ Mr. MeacherEstimates for the first quarter of 1977 are not available. Following is the other information:
Thousand metric tons Imports from Spain Imports from South Africa Deliveries by home producers for United Kingdom and abroad 1973 … 7 9 1,006 1974 … 1 3 961 1975 … 11 0 852 1976 … 26 15 772 These figures cover angles, shapes and sections less than 80 mm. thick, of non-alloy steel. The import figures also 10W include flats of 127 mm and under in width and of all thicknesses, whereas the delivery figures also include flats of 150 mm and under in width and more than 4.76 mm thick, of non-alloy steel in both cases.
§ Mr. Michael Marshallasked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) why he has not yet imposed a provisional charge to duty on the non-alloy steel light sections and flats imported from Spain and South Africa;
(2) what progress his Department has made in the investigation of the prima facie case of dumping of non-alloy steel light sections and flats from Spain and South Africa announced by his Department on 1st February 1977, following a detailed submission made by the British Independent Steel Producers Association on 7th January 1977.
§ Mr. MeacherI am not satisfied at present that a provisional charge is necessary. Work on this case is proceeding. If in the course of the investigation sufficient evidence is found to justify the imposition of such a charge, for example, a marked increase in imports which indicates forestalling, then we shall take immediate action.