§ Mr. Oakesasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if any restrictions will be placed on the export to South Africa of vehicles and equipment at present in Liverpool freeport sold at the forthcoming auction.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkRestrictions would only apply in this case in respect of any goods subject to the provisions of the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1985 as amended.
§ Mr. Oakesasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if any restrictions will be placed on the export to Argentina of vehicles and equipment at present in Liverpool freeport and to be sold at the forthcoming auction.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkNo restrictions are placed on exports to Argentina other than for those goods subject to the provisions of the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1985 as amended.
§ Mr. Cabornasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) where the Government stockpiles of manganese ore, ferromanganese, ferrochrome, vanadium pentoxide and ferrovanadium are located; and what is their present content in metric tonnes by metal content;
(2) from whom the materials in Her Majesty's Government's stockpiles of manganese ore, ferromanganese, ferrochrome, vanadium pentoxide and ferrovanadium were purchased; to whom they have been sold; in what quantities; and for how much;
(3) what purchases and sales have been made for and from Her Majesty's Government's stockpiles of manganese ore, ferromanganese, ferrochrome, vanadium pentoxide, and ferrovanadium since the establishment of these stockpiles in 1983;
(4) whether Her Majesty's Government entered into consultation with (a) the British Steel Corporation and (b) any private steel producer regarding the formulation of contingency plans to deal with the possible interruption of supplies of manganese ore, ferromanganese, ferrochrome, vanadium pentoxide and ferrovanadium from the Republic of South Africa.
§ Mr. Giles ShawI refer to the answer given to the hon. Member on 7 July 1986 at columns 11 and 12 concerning the Government's policy on the maintenance of supplies of strategic minerals. The situation continues to be closely monitored, in consultation with the companies in those sectors of industry concerned, including the steel industry.
The materials included in the stockpile reflect industry's requirements, and were purchased from commercial sources. The Government's intention to dispose of one quarter of the contents of the stockpile, announced on 25 July 1986, has been realised through sale by open tender. It is the Government's policy not to confirm details of the location, content or value of the stockpile given the need to protect its physical security and the commercially sensitive nature of the information concerned.
§ Mr. Cabornasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what import quotas and duties are imposed by Britain on imports of iron ore, manganese ore, ferromanganese, ferrochrome and vanadium pentoxide from (a) Canada, (b) Australia, (c) Sweden, (d) Zimbabwe, (e) the Republic of South Africa, (f) Finland and (g) China.
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§ Mr. Alan ClarkThere are no quantitative restrictions or duties on the import of the named products from Sweden or Finland as members of EFTA. As for imports from the other named countries there are no quantitative restrictions on any of these; there are no duties on imports of iron ore or manganese ore; and there are duties of 4 per cent. on ferro manganese, 8 per cent. on ferrochromium and 5.5 per cent. on vanadium pentoxide, with duty-free quotas applying to imports of ferrochromium and duty-free entry applying to imports of vanadium pentoxide from Zimbabwe and China under the generalised system of preference.