§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent representations he has received regarding the Government's continued policy concerning footwear and leather imports from Taiwan and Korea; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RedwoodWe have received a small number of representations on this matter. The European Commision is still considering the way forward in the light of member states' views.
§ Sir John FarrTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he will indicate, or place in the Library, the details of the scheme Her Majesty's Government intend to deploy to enforce the European Commission decision on applying for a voluntary restraint agreement covering leather and synthetic footwear imports from the Republic of Korea and Taiwan;
852W(2) what is Her Majesty's Government's policy towards the recent decision by the European Commission to enter into a voluntary restraint agreement covering leather and synthetic footwear imports from Korea and Taiwan.
§ Mr. Redwood[holding answer 19 February 1990]: The Commission has still to decide what action, if any, to take. We understand that it may be considering Communitywide restraints on trade in leather and synthetic footwear from South Korea and Taiwan. Any restraints would, of course, have to be fully and economically justified. If, however, the industry has any evidence of unfair trading practices it should be forwarded to the DTI or the Commission.