HC Deb 12 April 1988 vol 131 cc21-2W
Mr. Fry

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will give the number of pairs and the value of imports of footwear from Taiwan for the last 12 quarters for which figures are available.

Mr. Atkins

The information is given in the following table:

United Kingdom imports of footwear from Taiwan 1985–87
Pairs in million
Value £ million
1985 1986 1987
1st quarter
Number of pairs 8.5 7.1 7.8
Value £22.0 £13.3 £22.8
2nd quarter
Number of pairs 4.2 4.1 7.4
Value £15.7 £13.3 £23.9
3rd quarter
Number of pairs 3.7 4.6 6.6
Value £11.3 £13.4 £24.7
4th quarter
Number of pairs 2.4 4.0 4.9
Value £6.8 £13.9 £16.4

Source: Overseas Trade Statistics.

Notes:

  1. i. Footwear defined as SITC R2 Division 85.
  2. ii. Imports valued cif; Country of origin (COO basis).
  3. iii. All figures provisional.

Mr. Fry

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what representations he has recently received on footwear imports from Taiwan; and if he intends to take any action in response to such imports.

Mr. Alan Clark

I have received representatives of the industry recently to discuss their concern about footwear imports from Taiwan. The industry is currently drawing together the facts in order that we can consider what action, if any, would be appropriate.