§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the President of the Board of Trade how many cases have been brought against United Kingdom-based companies, by United States companies, to the International Trade Commission in each of the last five calendar years; and what United Kingdom Government advice or assistance is available to companies faced with such hearings.
§ Mr. NeedhamThe table details, according to the best information readily available, the number of cases against United Kingdom companies with the US International Trade Commission.
The British embassy in Washington monitors the filing of complaints. My officials notify any United Kingdom companies affected by these quasi-legal investigations.
My department is not in a position to offer financial assistance for legal fees. But DTI and the British embassy do provide general advice and assistance to British companies on such matters as tactics and procedure and in anti-dumping cases are prepared to raise particular points with the Department of Commerce, in support of the European Community, if it appears that the US authorities are not operating their rules fairly. My Department is in any event directly involved in any countervailing duty cases as these involve questions of government subsidy.
Total number of petitions filed with the ITC involving United Kingdom firms Year Anti-dumping Countervailing Section 337 1988 2 — — 1989 1 — 1 1990 4 — 1 1991 — — — 1992 4 2 2