§ 28. Mr. Blenkinsopasked the Secretary of State for Trade what action he is taking to limit the import of ready-made clothing into the United Kingdom in view of increasing redundancies in the clothing industry.
§ Mr. MeacherMost imports of clothing from the main low-cost suppliers are now subject to controls. A very close watch is also being kept on unrestricted imports, and action is being taken whenever these threaten further disruption.
§ Mr. Lomasasked the Secretary of State for Trade what action has been taken on the full and comprehensive anti-dumping application submitted by the Clothing Federation to his Department; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MeacherThis application was announced for formal investigation on 27th September. We are aware of the importance which the Clothing Manufacturers Federation attaches to the case, and inquiries are proceeding as a matter of urgency. The case is, however, a complex one, and many facts have still to be verified.
§ Mr. Cyril Smithasked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will list in the Official Report the numbers of felt coats imported into the United Kingdom, as finished garments, according to the country of origin for each year since 1970.
§ Mr. MeacherThe information is not available as felt coats are not separately distinguished in the overseas trade statistics.