§ Mr. Fryasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in view of the complaint by the footwear industry of America to the United States Administration to take safeguard measures against imported shoes, what steps he will take to seek to persuade the United States Trade Commission against closing its frontiers to European imports.
§ Mr. ChannonIn talks in Washington this week, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry will be urging the United States to stand by its commitments to open trade in general.
As to the recent petition for restraints on imports of footwear, my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Industry and I are meeting representatives of the United Kingdom industry shortly to consider the issue. We shall also discuss the appropriate response with our Community partners. The United States International Trade Commission has until July to make recommendations in the case.