§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for Trade what proportion 406W of the United Kingdom market for synthetic fibres is supplied by the United States of America.
§ Mr. ParkinsonIt is estimated that 8 per cent. by weight of the United Kingdom market for synthetic man-made fibres was supplied by the United States of America in 1979.
§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he will pubish in the Official Report a table showing the quantity and average value of imports of non-textured yarn of continuous polyester fibres from the Federal Republic of Germany, Switzerland and the United States of America in 1979, together with the amount of duty payable in each case; and if he is satisfied that there is not a European Economic Community manmade fibres cartel and that the prices of imports from the Federal Republic of Germany are not higher than would be justified in a competitive market.
§ Mr. ParkinsonCertain EEC producers of synthetic fibres have put proposals to the Commission for rationalisation of capacity and market shares, but there is no evidence that these proposals have affected prices. The synthetic textiles market is highly competitive. The other information requested is as follows:
A duty of 9 per cent is charged on imports from the United States. No duty is charged on imports from Switzerland or the Federal Republic of Germany.
Non-textured yarn of continuous polyester fibres (SITC(R2) 651.45 and 46) Imports {January-December 1979) Tonnes Average vale per tonne (£'s cif) Federal Republic of Germany 13,583 1,803 Switzerland 6,956 1,309 United States of America 6,494 962