HL Deb 05 August 1980 vol 412 c1473WA
Baroness HORNSBY-SMITH

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What steps they are taking in cases where garments from state trading countries are being sold to this country, way below economic cost and in breach of the price clause of their agreements.

The MINISTER of STATE, DEPARTMENT of INDUSTRY (Viscount Trenchard)

Where there is a situation of the sort provided for in the price clause in the Community's agreement with the state trading country concerned, we would request the European Commission to initiate consultations with the supplying country. Such a request has been submitted in the case of Romanian suits. Consultations with Romania are taking place and the Government are pressing the Commission to conclude the matter in a way which will meet the problem the imports raise for United Kingdom industry. Romanian suits are, and will remain, subject to quota.