§ Mr. Muddasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what allegations of the dumping of French and Italian broccoli were received by his Department during the last days of February, 1971;
(2) what inquiries were initiated and what action was taken as a result of complaints addressed to him about the dumping of broccoli, during the last days of February.
§ Mr. Anthony GrantA winter cauliflower grower telephoned the Department from Cornwall alleging that French and Italian cauliflowers were being dumped in the United Kingdom markets, and that this dumping represented a serious threat to the financial viability of Cornish winter cauliflower producers. Officials of the Department discussed the matter with the National Farmers' Union of England and Wales, and obtained certain information about prices and growers' returns. The National Farmers' Union formally applied on Friday, 5th March, for action against French imports under the Customs Duties (Dumping and Subsidies) Act, 1969. We considered this application urgently, and are satisfied that an adequateprima facie case of dumping and consequent material injury to the British growers was made out. Pending a full investigation, we are imposing a provisional charge to duty as from Thursday, 11th March, of £2 per cwt.