Earl of Dalkeithasked the President of the Board of Trade how many timber processing plants in the United Kingdom are at present out of action or threatened with closure as a result of supplies of processed timber entering this country at artificially low prices; and what is his estimate of the annual value of the produce lost thereby.
§ Mr. JayI understand that one chipboard factory has recently closed. Imports are only one aspect of the problem; and, as I indicated in my reply to the hon. Member for Galloway (Mr. Brewis) on 19th July, apart from certain Eastern European supplies, we have no evidence that prices of imported particle board are artificially low.—[Vol. 750, c. 2100.]
Earl of Dalkeithasked the President of the Board of Trade when he expects to be able announce the results of his investigations into allegations that processed timber is being dumped in this country at artificially low prices; and whether he will undertake to make a Press release of his findings and of his decision to take appropriate action at the earliest opportunity during the Parliamentary Recess.
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§ Mr. JayI assume the hon. Member is referring to the discussions with Eastern European countries about prices of imported particle board. I am not yet in a position to add to the replies I gave to the hon. Member for Moray and Nairn and others on 19th July.—[Vol. 750, c. 2100.]