§ Mr. Kenneth Clarkeasked the Secretary of State for Trade what is the policy of the Government towards the growth of counter-purchasing arrangements in trade by British companies with Eastern Europe and Russia; and what 730W of tyres from Czechoslovakia, Romania and other Comecon countries in each of the last five years.
§ Mr. MeacherFollowing is the information:
steps are taken to ensure that goods purchased by firms under such arrangements are not dumped in the United Kingdom at below cost prices.
§ Mr. MeacherCounter-purchase requirements take many forms and are becoming an increasing feature of world trade, including trade with the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. Such requirements may create certain distortions in the pattern of trade and in the long run affect its development, but it is difficult to generalise and it is for the firms concerned to weigh up the commercial benefits in any individual case. Goods imported as part of a counter-purchase deal are treated in the same fashion as any others and where evidence is provided to show that such goods are dumped and are causing material injury to the industry concerned anywhere in the EEC a formal application for antidumping be placed before the Commission either direct or through my Department.