§ Sir G. de Freitasasked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he is aware that in the first six months of 1976, compared with the same six months of 1975, there was an increase in the volume of footwear imports of 161 per cent. from Taiwan and 57 per cent. from South 233W Korea; to what he attributes these increases; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MeacherI am aware of the increase in these imports which I understand was due to a sharp increase in demand for footwear made of rubber, plastic and textile materials which the United Kingdom was not able to meet to any substantial extent.