HC Deb 16 November 1981 vol 13 cc15-6W
Mr. Sheerman

asked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) what evidence he has that export sales of tractors are being lost to the United Kingdom due to the practices of other European Economic Community member States which are contrary to European Economic Community regulations;

(2) if he will devise incentives in order to put the British tractor industry on an equal basis with competitors in the European Economic Community; and if he will take steps to ensure that British tractor producers can compete on a fair basis with other European companies;

(3) what evidence there is that other members of the European Economic Community are breaking the Community regulations by subsidising tractor sales of domestic producers;

(4) what evidence there is of lost export orders by British tractor producers due to unfair competition contrary to European Economic Community regulations in markets outside the European Economic Community.

Mr. Peter Rees

I have no such evidence, but if the hon. Member has some my Department will certainly consider it.

Mr. Sheerman

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will bring forward proposals to enable excess capacity for tractors in the United Kingdom to be sold to Third world countries in need of these products.

Mr. Peter Rees

The Government provides a wide range of services to exporters of tractors, as for other goods and services, to pursue available opportunities.