§ Mr. Marlowasked the Secretary of State for Trade whether the import deposit scheme operated by Italy against British footwear is now at an end; and what was the justification used by the Italians.
§ Mr. SproatThe Italian deposit requirement, introduced in May this year, is being reduced by stages and will end on 1 March 1982. It applies not only to British278W footwear but to a wide range of imports from all sources. In introducing the measure the Italian Government appealed to article 109 of the Treaty of Rome, which allows member States to take certain measures where a sudden crisis in the balance of payments occurs.