HC Deb 19 March 1974 vol 870 cc69-70W
Mr. Bishop

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, in view of the concern of the British bearing industry at the prospect of the Japanese bearing industry establishing bearing manufacturing plant in the United Kingdom with aid from Her Majesty's Government, if he will take steps to protect the British bearing industry from unfair Japanese competition.

Mr. Meacher

Any plant set up by Japanese manufacturers to make ball bearings in this country will operate subject to all the normal rules governing industrial activity here. In addition, the Japanese company concerned is prepared to give me certain assurances about the manner in which it proposes to operate here, for example, on the British manufactured content of the bearings to be produced, the proportion of exports and reductions in imports and location in an assisted area.

As regards competition from Japanese imports, I have no reason to believe that the Japanese industry will not continue to behave with moderation as it did during 1972 and 1973.

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