§ Mr. Woolmerasked the Secretary of State for Trade how many investigations into alleged subsidised, unfair or illegal trade practices in textiles and clothing products have been initiated by his Department and the European Commission between 1 January 1973 and the 31 December 1977; and how long it takes to complete such investigations in comparison with the results obtained by his own Department prior to 1978.
§ Mr. ParkinsonDuring the period between 1 January 1973 and 31 December 1977, the European Commission initiated three anti-dumping countervailing proceedings involving textiles and clothing products. In the same period the656W United Kingdom initiated four proceedings. The average time taken for completion by the Commission was about six months and by the United Kingdom about seven months.
Investigations into illegal trade practices involving false declaration at importation are the responsibility of Her Majesty's Customs and Excise.
§ Mr. Woolmerasked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) in his consideration of the outward processing proposal for textiles and clothing, if he has made estimates of the extent of such trade which exists in the United Kingdom and the European Community; and, if not, what views and consideration he has taken into account in his detailed examination of the effect of the proposal on the United Kingdom's industry;
(2) if he has authorised any investigations or studies concerning information on outward processed trade from within his Department or elsewhere; and if he is aware of any such detailed research and information studies being carried out, or authorised by, the European Commission.
§ Mr. ParkinsonI shall reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.
§ Mr. Woolmerasked the Secretary of State for Trade what sources he expects the domestic industry of the United Kingdom to tap in obtaining answers satisfactory to his officials relative to each of the questions contained in the European Commission's questionaire for lodging complaints against dumped textile goods; and how long it takes to complete and check each question by the industry and his officials.
§ Mr. ParkinsonThe sources available to an industry and the speed with which information can be assembled vary considerably from case to case. My Department gives whatever help is possible in assembling the evidence which is necessary to enable the European Commission to initiate an anti-dumping investigation in accordance with the internationally agreed rules governing anti-dumping action. In general, however, industry itself is the best source of much of the information through its contacts in the trade and, frequently, through a European trade association. This is particularly true with regard to evidence of the 657W injurious effect of dumping: evidence of, for example, lost sales or depression of prices can only come from the industry.