Liz Twist – 2022 Parliamentary Question on the Aluminium Extrusion Industry

The parliamentary question asked by Liz Twist, the Labour MP for Blaydon, in the House of Commons on 15 December 2022.

Liz Twist (Blaydon) (Lab)

What assessment she has made of the effectiveness of measures taken by the Trade Remedies Authority to help protect the aluminium extrusion industry.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for International Trade (Nigel Huddleston)

The UK trade remedies framework has been established to ensure that the Trade Remedies Authority has full independence when investigating unfair trading practices. As is the case with aluminium extrusions, the TRA provides thorough, objective and expert advice to Ministers based on evidence collected during the course of an investigation. The reasons for the TRA’s recommendation will be published alongside the ministerial decision to accept or reject the recommendation in its entirety.

Liz Twist

Over the past year I have been asking about the impact of the Trade Remedies Authority’s determination on this issue, and I now hear that the final determination is due to be published in days. There are real concerns that the proposed tariffs will do nothing to support our domestic aluminium extrusion producers, such as Hydro in my constituency, and producers in the constituencies of other MPs. What support will the Minister give to our domestic aluminium extrusion producers, should their fears about the dumping of aluminium extrusion prove correct? Will he meet me to discuss the situation?

Nigel Huddleston

The hon. Lady is correct. She will be aware that the recommendations are due to be published soon; she will understand that I cannot preempt today the conclusions of the investigation. As I have said, the TRA is independent and it reviews evidence very carefully indeed. On the hon. Lady’s other question, I would be delighted to meet her to discuss the matter further.