§ Mr. Cryerasked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will introduce legislation to provide for the United Kingdom Government to take action, independently of the European Economic Commission, against textile goods which, in the opinion of the Minister, are being dumped in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ParkinsonNo. Unilateral anti-dumping action would be contrary to our Treaty obligations to the European Community. Responsibility for taking antidumping action rests with the European Commission and we shall continue to press for speedy and effective remedies to be applied by the Commission in appropriate cases. We shall also continue to press for the Commission's anti-dumping staff to be strengthened, which we believe to be an urgent and necessary improvement. In the case of textile goods, however, virtually all imports from low cost countries are subject to the multi-fibre arrangement and are better dealt with under its provisions than by means of anti-dumping action.