§ Mr. Neubertasked the Secretary of State for Trade to what extent within the last two years he has evidence of barter in trade between United Kingdom companies and State trading countries (a) in the private sector and (b) in the public sector.
326Wprotect United Kingdom button manufacturers.
§ Mr. MeacherImports of buttons, excluding blanks and moulds, from low-cost suppliers in the Far East were lower in 1977 than in 1976 and have continued to fall in 1978. On this evidence, it would be difficult to persuade the EEC Commission to take action to protect United Kingdom manufacturers, and, indeed, it is doubtful if the case meets normal United Kingdom criteria for action based on market disruption and threat to the survival of the industry.