§ Mr. Ray Powellasked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will study the effects upon British-based companies of imported products that are subsidised by parent companies abroad and therefore substantially cheaper than can be produced in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ParkinsonI have been asked to reply.
I have no doubt that subsidies given to foreign companies that export to the United Kingdom could cause injury to the interests of companies here making similar products. My Department is very ready to look into properly documented cases of export subsidisation to see what can be done through international agreements to mitigate any such injury.