§ Mr. Paul Deanasked the Secretary of State for Trade if he is now able to make a statement on the steps he proposes to take in connection with the import of footwear from Eastern Europe.
§ Mr. DeakinsAs announced by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State 529W for Industry in the Adjournment debate on Monday 20th January, talks are now being held with Czechoslovakia, Poland and Romania with a view to seeking a solution to the difficulties caused by these footwear imports.
§ Mr. Watkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will publish the evidence he has that textiles, garments and footwear are being dumped on the British market.
§ Mr. DeakinsI hope that any industry which has evidence that imports are being dumped in this country in sufficient quantity to cause it or threaten it with material injury will not hesitate to present a case for action under the Customs Duties (Dumping and Subsidies) Act 1969.
On textiles, there is currently only one such application, on acrylic yarn imports, but as other Community countries are also affected it is being handled by the EEC Commission.
On footwear, an anti-dumping investigation under our legislation into imports of men's leather footwear from certain East European countries was put into abeyance in 1973 in agreement with the industry; it is aware that, if it wishes, my Department is ready to consider its resumption.
I must point out, however, that it is not my Department's practice to make public evidence which is submitted to us in confidence in the course of an antidumping investigation.