§ Mr. Cryerasked the Secretary of State for Trade how many anti-dumping applications from (a) all sources and (b) textiles, clothing and footwear are currently before the EEC.
§ Mr. ParkinsonFifteen anti-dumping complaints are currently under formal investigation by the European Commission. Two of these relate to textile products. There are no current cases involving clothing or footwear. A number of other complaints, some of which may result in formal investigations being undertaken, are at varying stages of preparation.
§ Mr. Cryerasked the Secretary of State for Trade what period of time anti-dumping applications in clothing, textile and footwear products are taking with the European Commission; and what representations he is making to shorten the period.
§ Mr. ParkinsonIn 1980 two anti-dumping cases involving textile products were completed. These concerned acrylic fibre from the United States and Japan and polyester yarn from the United States. Provisional duties were imposed against the United States six and three months respectively after formal opening of the investigations. The provisional duties were made definitive for acrylic fibre after a further five months and for polyester yarn after a further four months, and price undertakings were accepted from Japanese suppliers. No investigations have been undertaken recently involving clothing or footwear.
14WThese times compare favourably with those taken by other countries for the conclusion of anti-dumping investigations, including the United Kingdom prior to 1977. However, we shall continue to press for a strengthening of the Commission's staff in this area, so that their work can be speeded up to the greatest extent possible.