§ Mr. Campbell-Savoursasked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he will consider taking unilateral action on tariffs or the introduction of technical barriers to trade against electrical products imported from Eastern Europe where delay by the European Commission in processing anti-dumping claims is generating redundancy and short-time working in domestic manufacturing industry.
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§ Mr. ParkinsonSuch action would be contrary to our obligations under the Treaty of Rome and, in the case of technical barriers to trade, the relevant provisions of the GATT. Several complaints involving imports of electrical appliances from East Europe are currently being prepared by the Association of Manufacturers of Domestic Electrical Appliances with the assistance of my officials but none has yet reached the stage where it would be possible for the Commission to begin a formal investigation under the appropriate Council regulation.
§ Mr. Campbell-Savoursasked the Secretary of State for Trade what representations he has received from manufacturing industry as to overloading in the European Commission of anti-dumping claims by United Kingdom manufacturers against Eastern European producers.
§ Mr. ParkinsonWhile complaints are sometimes received that the Commission's anti-dumping services appear to be overloaded, I am not aware that any has related particularly to cases involving East European producers. In general, however, I strongly support the Commission's request for more staff resources to be devoted to this essential area of its activities.
§ Mr. Campbell-Savoursasked the Secretary of State for Trade which companies have made representations to his Department on the uncompetitive marketing practices of East European producers of electrical products in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. ParkinsonAllegations have been made by a number of companies that domestic electrical appliances imported from certain East European countries are being dumped. It would not be appropriate to publish the names of the individual companies which have made representations.