§ Mr. Masonasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Basingstoke (Mr. Hunter), Official Report, 10 December 1986, column 175, what has been the outcome of discussions with the European Commission and with the Greek Government concerning subsidised cement imports from Greece; what further steps he proposes to take to protect both the British cement industry and those parts of British Coal's operations which are dependent on a healthy cement industry; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkThe European Commission reached agreement with the Greek Government in December on the phasing out of Greek export subsidies and the introduction of a safeguard clause which could be triggered if market disruption is threatened. The Greek Government have also given an assurance not to disrupt the United Kingdom market. I met a delegation of Members representing United Kingdom cement and coal industries on 22 January to discuss these arrangements and am sending the right hon. Member a note of the meeting.