§ Mr. Beaumont-Darkasked the Secretary of State for Industry what changes are being made in the arrangements for the enforcement of European Coal and Steel Community price rules for steel stockholders and traders.
§ Mr. Norman LamontFrom the end of this year, the United Kingdom Government, in common with Governments in other member States of the European Community, take over from the European Commission responsibility for policing the rules concerning pricing practices by steel stockholders and dealers in this country. Legislation giving the Government powers to enforce the rules comes into operation today.
The rules require stockholders and dealers with an annual turn-over of 6,000 tonnes of all steel products or 3,000 tonnes of special steels:
to supply to the Department of Industry before 1 January 1983–or subsequently, if a stockholder or dealer reaches the qualifying tonnage after 1 January—an up-to-date copy of their price list and conditions of sale.thereafter, to provide copies of any changed price lists before they come into effect.to ensure that the price lists meet certain specified requirements regarding the information provided.to abide by certain conditions in selling steel. In particular stockholders and dealers are prohibited from applying different terms and conditions to comparable transactions, except in specified circumstances—notably if they are matching the price charged by a competitor.Stockholders and dealers found to be contravening these requirements may be fined. The Department of Industry will check observance via on the spot investigations.
181WThese rules are an important element in the attempts being made at European Community level to combat the steel crisis and help restore price stability. The Government are determined to ensure that enforcement in this country is fully matched by Governments in all other member States in respect of their stockholders and dealers. In parallel with these rules there are similar ones governing pricing practices by steel producers, the administration of which remains the responsibility of the Commission.