HC Deb 13 March 1980 vol 980 c657W
Dr. Summerskill

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he will make representations at the meeting of the Council of Ministers on 14 March to ensure some form of restriction upon tufted carpet imports from the United States of America, in view of the serious situation which now exists in the British carpet industry.

Mr. Parkinson

As my right hon. Friend made clear in his statement on 18 February, the EEC Commission has rejected our application for restrictions on imports of tufted carpets. It did, however, recognise the need for safeguard action should present trends continue and lead to serious injury to the United Kingdom industry. We will continue to monitor imports closely and will make a fresh approach to the Commission if developments justify our doing so.