§ Mr. SpellarTo ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 22 June,Official Report, column 138, what inquiries he has made regarding imports into the United Kingdom of allegedly subsidised structural steel from other EC member states.
§ Mr. SainsburyWe have no evidence at present to suggest that structural steel producers in other EC member states are directly subsidised. Where we have evidence of illegal subsidisation we do not hesitate to press the European Commission to take action against those concerned, as we have done in the case of the Italian steel company, ILVA.
Gathering the necessary evidence is difficult and we rely to a large extent on commercial sources. My officials have discussed this matter with the British Constructional Steelwork Association. If the association, its members or any other party can produce evidence to suggest that illegal subsidies are being paid to structural steel producers we will pursue the matter vigorously with the European Commission.