§ Mr. Hardyasked the Secretary of State for Trade (I) what is the volume of imports of tool and high-speed steel which he expects to enter the United Kingdom from Austria during 1977 and 1978; and what was the volume actually imported during 1976;
(2) what is the volume of imports of stainless steel billets which he expects to enter the United Kingdom from Spain during 1977 and 1978; and what was the volume imported during 1976.
Mr. Meacher, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 11th July 1977, Vol. 935, c. 5], gave the following information:
Figures for 1976 cannot be provided, as imports are not recorded in sufficient detail in the overseas trade statistics to distinguish these items separately.
§ Mr. Hardyasked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) what is the volume of steel sections and flats which he expects to be imported into the United Kingdom from South Africa during 1977 and 1978; and what was the volume imported during 1976;
(2) what is the volume of steel sections and flats imported from Spain during 1976; and what is his estimate of the volume which will be imported during 1977 and 1978.
Mr. Meacher, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 11th July 1977, Vol. 319W 935, c. 5], gave the following information:
In 1976, 60,000 metric tons of all types of steel angles, shapes, sections and flats were imported from South Africa and 31,000 metric tons were imported from Spain.
As for 1977 and 1978, in the case of South Africa the United Kingdom has benefited from an understanding on steel tonnage given to the Commission by South Africa; the result of which will limit the imports of South African non-alloy steel light angles, shapes, sections and flats to tonnages acceptable to the United Kingdom industry over the period 1st January 1977 to 31st March 1978.
Imports of South African non-alloy steel light angles, shapes, sections and flats into the United Kingdom in 1976 were 14,000 metric tons. Imports of similar products from Spain in 1976 were 26,800 metric tons; for the current year 6,000 metric tons were imported to May 1977.