To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will abolish the requirement that United Kingdom bicycle manufacturers pay duty on imported gear and brake components.

The duty payable on gear and brake components for bicycles is laid down in the European Community's common customs tariff. However, the Community's offer on tariffs in the current GATT Uruguay round negotiations does envisage a reduction in the duty paid on these products.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many Chinese bicycles were imported into the United Kingdom in each of the years from 1979 to date; what percentage they were of the total sold in each such year; what level of Chinese importation penetration he expects between now and 1996: and if he will make a statement.

The available information is given in the table. There are no estimates of future import penetration.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he will make a statement concerning the current EC anti-dumping investigation into the importation of Chinese bicycles into the Community;(2) if he will introduce measures to protect domestic bicycle manufacturers against the dumping of imported bicycles from the far east; and if he will make a statement.

The European Commission, which is responsible for anti-dumping action, initiated an investigation into imports of bicycles from China and Taiwan on 12 October 1991 following a complaint lodged by the European Bicycle Manufacturers Association. The Government will be consulted by the Commission about its initial findings once the preliminary investigation has been completed.