§ Mr. John Ellisasked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) in view of the fact that the imports of electro-zinc grade 805W were 2,220 tonnes per month for the year 1977–78, that the actual June figure for 1978 was 3,872 tonnes, and that the imported product was £27 a tonne cheaper than British Steel Corporation, United Kingdom home trade prices, what steps he is taking to rectify the situation;
(2) in view of the fact that the imports of hot dipped galvanised plain were 16,500 tonnes per month for the year 1977–78, that the actual June figure for 1978 was 23,000 tonnes, and that the imported product was £30 a tonne cheaper than British Steel Corporation, United Kingdom home trade prices, what steps he is taking to rectify the situation.
§ Mr. Meacher, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 19 March 1979; Vol. 964, c. 463], gave the following information:
It is misleading to take a single month's imports of any product in isolation. The average level of imports of electro-zinc grade for 1978 was 2,653 tonnes per month, and the figure for June 1978 was exceptional. Trade in electro-zinc grade between members of the European Coal and Steel Community is subject to the basic provisions of the Treaty of Paris, including article 60 on price discrimination, but there are no mandatory minimum or guidance prices on this product.
As far as external trade is concerned, voluntary restraint arrangements, which include trade in electro-zinc grade, were negotiated between the Community and major third country suppliers for 1978. These are being extended into the current year following agreement between the industry and the Government that they have contributed to an overall improvement in the conditions of trade for iron and steel products. Other third country suppliers remain subject to a basic import price scheme.
My Department, in collaboration with the industry, carefully monitors the operation of these two schemes and promptly draws to the attention of the Commission any difficulties and irregularities that may appear; and these are taken up, as appropriate, by the Commission. There have been no recent complaints from the industry about irregularities in the pricing of electro-zinc grade, but if my hon. 806W Friend has evidence of this which he wishes to put to me, I shall be happy to look into it.