§ Mr. John H. Osbornasked the Secretary of State for Trade whether applications for protection against dumping, possibly resulting in the imposition of an appropriate anti-dumping duty, are now being referred regularly to the Commission of the European Economic Community; and if he will make a statement on the transfer of this responsibility from national Governments to the Community.
§ Mr. MeacherThe handling of applications during the remaining weeks of the period of transition to full EEC competence depends on the nature of the case. My Department is continuing to investigate urgent cases where completion can be envisaged before 30th June. Even after this date, under the terms of the appropriate EEC Regulation, applications may be submitted to the Department rather than to the Commission. If this is done, the Commission will immediately be informed so that the implications for other member States' industries can be considered simultaneously, but it will be the responsibility of the Department to study the application and decide whether it should be submitted to the EEC Anti-Dumping Committee, with a view to formal investigation by the Commission in co-operation with member States. In the case of iron and steel products covered by the Treaty of Paris, similar procedures will apply but the Government retains the right, in the absence of Community action, to take action on a national basis, after consultation.