§ Mr. Cleggasked the President of the Board of Trade whether in view of the fact that it is Her Majesty's Government's policy that the growth rate of economy should now be 3 per cent. he will seek to renegotiate the global agreements on the restriction of textile imports into the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. JayNo; the quotas were based on the average of trade for the three years 1967 to 1964, and their growth is limited to 1 per cent. per annum.
§ Mr. Cleggasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is satisfied that his Department is receiving sufficient information to establish whether textiles being imported into this country are being dumped or unfairly subsidised by their country of origin; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. JayBefore I can consider allegations of dumping or subsidisation the British industry affected must make an application under the Customs Duties (Dumping and Subsidies) Act, 1957 supported by information indicating that the imports are being dumped or subsidised and are causing or threatening material injury.
The reason for this is that action cannot be taken on grounds of dumping, or subsidisation alone, and only the industry can provide evidence of actual or threatened material injury. The Board of Trade have recently accepted two applications for investigation, one in respect of nylon carpet staple fibre, the other on rayon yarn.
§ Mr. Cleggasked the President of the Board of Trade what instructions he has given to commercial attachés at embassies and to consular officials in countries which are exporting cheap textiles to the United Kingdom to establish whether the prices of such exports are subsidised either directly or indirectly.
§ Mr. JayHer Majesty's representatives abroad have a general responsibility for reporting on matters likely to affect the interests of United Kingdom industry, and on a member of occasions have specifically inquired into the possibility that cheap textiles exported to the United Kingdom may have been subsidised directly or indirectly.