HC Deb 24 March 1980 vol 981 cc396-7W
Mr. Austin Mitchell

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether the figures for imports from the United States of America given in his reply dated 25 February concerning trade in tufted carpets included duty; whether value-added tax is payable on the duty-paid price; what was the additional impost on each ton of imports from the United States of America; and why the Government requested the European Commission to limit imports from the United States of America.

Mr. Parkinson

The import figures given in my reply of 25 February do not include duty. VAT is payable on the duty paid price. Information necessary to calculate the additional impost is not readily available. As regards the last part of the question, I draw the hon. Member's attention to the statement made to the House on 18 February 1980 by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade.—[Vol. 979, c. 30.]