§ Mr. Peter Morrisonasked the Secretary of State for Trade whether, in view of the fact that on 1st July 1977 responsibility for anti-dumping measures passed from Her Majesty's Government to the EEC, he is satisfied that Great Britain is adequately protected against dumping by foreign countries, and, in particular, by countries of the Warsaw Pact.
§ Mr. MeacherThe relevant Community legislation, notably EEC Regulation 459 of 1968, and our own Customs Duties (Dumping and Subsidies) Act 1969 are governed by the same international rules set out in the GATT Anti-Dumping Code. There should therefore be the same level of protection against dumped imports from whatever source.
§ Mr. Peter Morrisonasked the Secretary of State for Trade, further to his reply to the hon. Member for Mid-Sussex (Mr. Renton). Official Report, 10th January 1977, Volume 923, what changes in anti-dumping procedures have been effected; and what are the implications for these changes of the transfer of responsibilities of the United Kingdom's 638W anti-dumping measures from Her Majesty's Government to the EEC.
§ Mr. MeacherNo further changes in anti-dumping procedures were instituted as a result of the consultations between my Department and Customs and Excise, of which I informed the House on 10th January 1977. However, a number of improvements have been instituted in the day-to-day co-operation between the Department and Customs and Excise. For example, Customs and Excise's central unit co-ordinating all aspects of Customs' anti-dumping work has produced a substantial improvement in the speed at which Customs is able to gather and transmit the information needed by my Department for its investigations These improvements survive the transfer of responsibilities and will enable the Department to play an even more important part in the Community's anti-dumping work.