HC Deb 16 December 1987 vol 124 cc540-1W
Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is the budget of the unfair trade unit; how many staff are employed by this unit; and what is its publicity budget.

Mr. Alan Clark

[holding answer 14 December 1987]: The unfair trade unit is concerned with complaints about unfairly traded imports and currently employs nine staff. Its total budget for the 1987–88 financial year is £179,000. The cost of its publicity activities, which include briefings by members of the unit and the distribution of an information pack, are met from the unit's budget or the departmental budget as appropriate.

Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many cases the unfair trade unit dealt with in the last 12 months; how many of these cases have involved the European Community Commission; and how many of these cases have resulted in representations being made to foreign Governments by(a) the European Community Commission and (b) Her Majesty's Government.

Mr. Alan Clark

[holding answer 14 December 1987]: Anti-dumping and countervailing action are the responsibility of the European Commission.

In the last 12 months the unfair trade unit has been involved in 32 anti-dumping cases under investigation by the Commission and has responded to more than 60 inquiries about the possibility of taking anti-dumping action or countering other unfair practices.

Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many staff were employed to examine and advise on hidden trade barriers prior to the establishment of the unfair trade unit.

Mr. Alan Clark

[holding answer 14 December 1987]: Examining and advising on hidden trade barriers affecting British exports remains one of the responsibilities of the overseas trade divisions. Their staffing level was not affected by the establishment of the unfair trade unit, which deals with unfairly traded imports.

Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether the unfair trade unit has published any of its findings.

Mr. Alan Clark

[holding answer 14 December 1987]: The results of anti-dumping investigations are published in British Business and, where appropriate, Ministers announce the result of cases taken up bilaterally.