CONFIDENTIAL
13. In replying to the BTEA, Sir John Eden
reaffirmed the position of the Government that
"if evidence was produced after the new import
regime had come into effect that real damage
was being done, whether to the industry as a
whole or to some significant part of it, the
Government would certainly consider what could
be done to remedy the situation". He added
that at present it was not possible to modify
Government policy on the lines suggested by the
BTEA. However, Sir John considered that it
was essential for officials and the industry
to study the evidence and monitor the important
changes taking place in the industry; thus
there could be a mutually understood basis for
any subsequent measures.
Subsequent consideration by the DTI
14. At the meeting of the Ministerial 'Committee
on the Approach to Europe on 25 October 1971,
the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry
undertook to examine again the proposed tariff
policy. The DTI consider that the following
new factors have to be taken into account in
this examination:-
(i) greater social hardship which has arisen because the slimming of the industry is occur-
ring when unemployment levels are high; and it
is difficult to obtain alternative employment;
i) forestalling, and build up of stocks,
could take place in 1972 when it is know that
the Government does not intend to seek deroga-
tion from the BBC agreements when we join the
CONFIDENTIAL
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