§ Mr. Tom Kingasked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he is aware of the increase of imports of footwear from COMECON countries in 1974; and whether he is considering any action on this, in view of the impact on the United Kingdom shoe industry.
§ Mr. DeakinsAt the request of the British Footwear Manufacturers' Federation the question of footwear imports is already being considered as a matter of urgency by my Department and the Department of Industry. I hope it will be possible to reach a decision shortly.
§ Mr. Adam Butlerasked the Secretary of Slate for Trade what is his policy towards imports of footwear from 742W developing countries; and how this compares with that of other Common Market countries and of other industrialised nations.
§ Mr. DeakinsThe United Kingdom accords tariff preferences to imports of footwear from developing countries in general under the EEC's scheme of generalised preferences. Certain other donor countries also include footwear in their schemes.
§ Mr. Adam Butlerasked the Secretary of State for Trade what has been the value of exports to Australia by the United Kingdom boot and shoe industry in each of the last three years; and what is likely to be the effect of the recently imposed quota restrictions.
§ Mr. DeakinsThe value of United Kingdom exports, fob, current prices, of all footwear to Australia was £1.4 million in 1971, £1.2 millon in 1972 and £1.3 million in 1973—calendar years. The recent Australian import restrictions are designed to limit footwear imports from all sources to not more than 20 per cent. above the base period July 1972 to June 1973. The long-term effect on individual supplying countries cannot yet be assessed but it seems likely that some British footwear now on order will not be admitted to Australia.