§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Trade what action he intends to take to curb the import penetration of washing machines and other domestic appliances as recommended in the fourth industrial strategy report to the National Economic Development Organisation by a working party of the domestic appliances industry.
§ Mr. Meacher, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 5 March 1979; Vol. 963, c. 487.], gave the following information:
The fourth report to the NEDC by the domestic electrical appliances sector working party makes no specific recommendation that Government should curb import penetration of washing machines and other domestic appliances, but there is some disquiet expressed on the openness of the United Kingdom market by comparison with that of some of its export markets, though no mention of import controls or import penetration ceilings. It did, however, recommend certain changes to the market entry guarantee scheme, and these will be considered by the British Overseas Trade Board when it reviews the first two years working of the scheme in the autumn.