§ Mr. Salmondasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what has been Her Majesty's Government's involvement in the policy decision of the European Community to impose additional import duties on urea products from Saudi Arabia; and what are the reasons for this policy.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkProvisional anti-dumping duties were imposed on imports of urea from a number of countries, including Saudi Arabia, after a preliminary investigation by the European Commission indicated that dumping of urea was causing injury to the Community fertiliser industry. All EC members were consulted before the provisional duty was imposed and Her Majesty's Government were satisfied on the evidence available that the measures were necessary.
§ Mr. Salmondasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will estimate the total quantity of urea used in Britain's fertiliser production; and what percentage of this comes from the United Kingdom, other European Economic Community countries, and Saudi Arabian sources.
§ Mr. AtkinsI regret that I am not able to do so. Some of the information requested cannot be given without
482W
§ Mr. MaudeThe Restrictive Practices Court considered the net book agreement in 1962 and found that it was not contrary to the public interest. Under the legislation, the Director General of Fair Trading may obtain leave to apply to the court to review its judgment only if there is prima facie evidence of a material change in the relevant circumstances. He must therefore consider in particular whether there has been sufficient change in respect of those matters on which the court relied in reaching its judgment. The Director General keeps such matters under regular review but considers that at present there are insufficient grounds for an application to the court to review its judgment.