§ Mr. Nobleasked the Secretary of State for Trade if he is satisfied with the operation of Her Majesty's Government's policy on imported footwear originating in South Korea, Portugal, Sweden, India, Malaysia and the Philippines; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MeacherWhile imports from these countries have been higher so far this year than in the corresponding period last year, they cannot be considered in isolation from imports of footwear as a whole. Total imports of footwear in the first quarter of 1978 were in fact lower than those in the same period in 1977. Imports of footwear from South Korea, Malaysia and India are subject to surveillance licensing. In response to representations from a number of EEC member States, including the United Kingdom, the European Commission has embarked on discussions with three of the Community's main low cost suppliers—South Korea, India and Spain—about their future forecasts of sales to the Community.