§ Mr. VazTo ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what representations he has received with regard to the proposal to impose EC quotas on imports from China of footwear;
(2) what steps he is taking effectively to control imports of footwear from China.
§ Mr. NeedhamI refer the hon. Member to my reply of 2 June to the hon. Member for Rossendale and Darwen (Ms. Anderson),Official Report, column 491. As regards representations, my Department have received a large number which divide basically between United Kingdom footwear manufacturers who support the Commission's proposal and United Kingdom importers and retailers who oppose it. The Government will take into account these conflicting views when deciding their attitude to the proposals, the economic justification for which has yet to be properly explained by the Commission.