§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for Trade what is the proportion of the European Economic Community market for man-made fibres held by imports from the United States of 280W America; and if he will publish in the Official Report a list of the products exported by the European Economic Community to the United States of America which enjoy a larger proportion of the United States market.
§ Mr. ParkinsonThis information, even if available, could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for Trade what effect the man-made fibres cartel has had on the level of prices in the United Kingdom; and what steps he proposes to take to lower prices in the event of restrictions being imposed on imports of competitive fibres from the United States of America.
§ Mr. ParkinsonI have no evidence that the price of man-made fibres has been affected by any cartel arrangements.
§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for Trade what proportion of total United Kingdom consumption of (a) non-textured yarn of continuous polyester fibres, (b) textured yarn of continuous polyester fibres and (c) tufted carpets and so on of man-made textile fibres is accounted for by imports from the United States of America in each case.
§ Mr. ParkinsonIt is estimated that 17 per cent. by weight of total United Kingdom consumption of yarn of continuous polyester fibres—excluding high tenacity yarn—was accounted for by imports from the United States of America in 1979. Separate figures for textured and non-textured yarn are not available.
It is estimated that 4 per cent. by area of total United Kingdom consumption of tufted carpets, carpeting and carpet type rugs of man-made textile fibres was accounted for by imports from the United States of America during the first nine months of 1979.