Mr. Ronald W. Brownasked the Secretary of State for Trade what steps he proposes to take to support a viable furniture manufacturing industry in Great Britain following his meeting on 27 July with the deputation representing the British furniture manufacturers and the Furniture, Timber and Allied Trades Union; and if he will publish in the Official Report the statistics provided at the meeting which indicate the extent of penetration of imported furniture and allied products into the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. Peter Rees:The viability and prosperity of the furniture industry depend ultimately on its success in meeting market requirements both at home and abroad. At their meeting with my predecessor on 27 July the representatives of the industry were, however, assured that they could count on the support and assistance of this Department if they had evidence that imports of furniture were being dumped and that this was causing injury to the Community industry. The figures for import penetration provided at that meeting were estimates made by the industry itself rather than official figures. In my view they do not necessarily offer a reliable guide and I do not think it appropriate that I should publish them.