§ Mr. Parkasked the Secretary of State for Industry what steps he has taken to keep himself informed of the negotiations between the British Machine Tool Trades Association and the Japanese on the question of reductions in the number of Japanese imports; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MacGregorThe Machine Tool Trades Association has kept the Government informed about its204W talks with the Japan Machine Tool Builders Association which have included discussion of the problems caused for the United Kingdom machine tool industry by increasing levels of Japanese import penetration of the United Kingdom market for computer numerically-controlled lathes and machining centres.
I have noted that since the last round of talks in December it has been announced that Japanese export floor prices of these items are to be raised. Both the MTTA and the Government will continue to monitor the import situation very closely.