Mr. Bob Brownasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the number of jobs at risk in the British ball bearing industry as a direct result of Japanese competition.
§ Mr. RidleyI am in no position to make such an estimate but the industry itself estimates that, if imports of bearings from Japan increase in 1972 at the same rate as in 1971, 880 jobs would be lost.
Mr. Bob Brownasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to what extent the Japanese Government subsidise the Japanese ball bearing industry.
§ Mr. RidleyNo evidence has been produced to me that the Japanese ball bearing industry is subsidised by the Japanese Government.