§ Mrs. Wiseasked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he will seek information from the major British machine tool manufacturers on whether, and to what extent, they are themselves importers of machine tools.
§ Mr. Cryer, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 20th March 1978], gave the following information:
The Department does not systematically collect detailed information on this subject. However, considerable information on United Kingdom agencies held and types of machine imported by manufacturers of machine tools can be obtained from two publications of the Machine Tool Trade Association; "British Machine Tools and Equipment", and "Imported Machine Tools and Equipment". I am inviting the trade association's comments on why some manufacturers find it advantageous to undertake both types of business and I shall write to my hon. Friend with any further information.