§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Trade how many industries have now complained to him about dumping or other illegal methods of undercutting British products in the last 12 months ; what is the approximate number of letters of complaints he has received on this subject over the same period ; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Parkinson: In the last 12 months my Department has received many letters about competition from imports and a large number alleged unfair or illegal practices. To give precise figures would involve disproportionate expense. Details of all recent anti-dumping investigations were given in the Department's evidence to the Select Committee on Industry and Trade, published with its Minutes of Evidence for 5 March 1980. (Two new investigations concerning imports of ammonium nitrate fertilizer and polyester filament yarn, both from the United States of America, have been opened since then.)
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Trade what action he proposes to take to prevent dumping and severe 80W undercutting by foreign companies and producers in markets which are traditionally recognised to be British ; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Parkinson: Provision already exists to prevent unfair competition from dumped imports into the Community which are causing or threatening material injury to a Community industry. The European Commission, which has responsibility for taking such action, is well aware of the importance which my right hon. Friend and I attach to speedy implementation of the anti-dumping legislation in appropriate cases. To that end my officials are always ready to give what assistance they can to any United Kingdom industry faced with dumping problems. In markets outside the Community, whether traditionally British or not, the best defence is a superior product, competitively priced and delivered on time.