HC Deb 19 October 1976 vol 917 cc438-9W
Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Trade on how many occasions Her Majesty's Government have taken action to control imports under anti-dumping legislation over the most recent 12-month period for which figures are available; and if he will list in the Official Report the goods and nations of origin in which anti-dumping controls are at present in force.

Mr. Meacher

Seven anti-dumping or countervailing duties were imposed under the Customs Duties (Dumping and Subsidies) Act 1969 in the 12 months to 30th September 1976. In addition satisfactory price undertakings were obtained during the period in respect of five products exported from 11 countries.

The products and countries or origin covered by anti-dumping or countervailing duties currently in force are:

gave yesterday to the hon. Member for Mid-Sussex (Mr. Renton).—[Vol. 917, c. 921–6].

Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether it is his policy that persons or industries with complaints about dumping should make their complaints to his Department after the powers to take action against dumping are assumed by the EEC Commission.

Mr. Meacher

Applicants for antidumping action will have the option of making their initial approach either through the Department of Trade antidumping unit or directly to the Commission. It is expected that most United Kingdom applicants will take the former course. But where a United Kingdom industry is involved along with other Community industries in an application being co-ordinated by a European trade association it is clearly sensible that the approach should normally be to the Commission through that channel. In all cases the advice of the United Kingdom antidumping unit will be available.

Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will seek to establish from the EEC Commission whether it is the Commission's intention to operate dumping controls in respect of individual member States or in respect of the Community as a whole when the Commission assumes responsibility for anti-dumping procedures.

Mr. Meacher

The Community is empowered to take anti-dumping action where there is material injury to a major part of a Community industry. This makes it possible in many cases to act in defence of industry in only one or more member States. There is also provision in certain cases for action to be taken on behalf of the producers in a particular region.

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