HC Deb 30 October 1981 vol 10 c493W

Mr. Gregor MacKenzie asked the Secretary of State for Trade what representations he has received from manufacturers of domestic electrical appliances concerning imports of such goods; and what response he has given.

Mr. Peter Rees [pursuant to his reply, 28 October 1981, c. 350]: Representations have been received from a number of companies alleging that domestic electrical appliances imported from certain East European countries are being dumped. My Department's anti-dumping unit has assisted the Association of Manufacturers of Domestic Electrical Appliances to lodge formal complaints with the European Commission in respect of imports of single door refrigerators and cylinder vacuum cleaners from these countries, and investigations by the Commission are now in progress. Anxiety has also been expressed to my Department that national State aids may have distorted competition to the benefit of imports from within the Community or may do so in future. The Commission has investigated the matter but has found no evidence that this is the case.