HC Deb 10 November 1975 vol 899 cc474-5W
Mr. Hoyle

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what evidence he has that Japanese television tubes are being sold 15 per cent. cheaper in the United Kingdom than in Japan.

Mr. Deakins

None. As recently announced, an inquiry was carried out this year into alleged dumping of Japanese television tubes; no significant dumping was found. The Departments of Trade and of Industry will, however, be keeping a watch on imports through surveillance licensing to be introduced shortly.

Mr. Hoyle

asked the Secretary of State for Trade why no agreement was reached with the Japanese Government not to continue the CENTO-limitation arrangement on television receivers; why shipments of Japanese colour television receivers have increased from an average of 9,500 per month, to 17,579 in August; and what action he is taking on this matter.

Mr. Deakins

Unilateral restraint on exports of colour television sets to the United Kingdom is a matter for the Japanese Government. Imports of Japanese colour television sets in the first nine months of 1975 were 40 per cent. below the figure for the same period in 1974. We have made it clear to the Japanese Government that we shall be ready to use the powers at our disposal if there is a disruptive increase in imports of colour television sets. Meanwhile, we have announced our intention to introduce import surveillance licensing in 1976 to enable us to monitor trends more closely.