§ Mr. Viggersasked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will publish details of all agreements or arrangements with foreign manufacturers relating to the limitation of importation into the United Kingdom of (a) television sets, (b) radios and (c) other consumer electronics goods.
§ Mr. MeacherI have been asked to reply.
Her Majesty's Government are not party to any such agreements or arrangements. I understand, however, that in talks with the British industry Japanese television manufacturers have forecast no increase this year in their share of our market for colour televisions, and a reduction in their 600W market share for portable black and white sets. I also understand that the manufacturers in Singapore have predicted a small reduction in their shipments of portable black and white televisions to Britain this year.
There are however restrictions on imports into the United Kingdom of domestic radios, radiograms and televisions originating in the State trading area, and portable monochrome televisions originating in Taiwan. The restricted items are listed in Schedule 1 of the Open General Import Licence dated 9th September 1976, as amended.