HC Deb 08 December 1966 vol 737 cc1548-50
11. Mr. Robert Howarth

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that there is concern in Lancashire at the increase in imports of cotton cloth from Portugal in the first nine months of this year; and why the global quota restrictions on cotton textiles are not applicable to Portugal.

Mr. Jay

The global quota restrictions do not apply to our E.F.T.A. partners. But I have very much in mind, and the Portuguese authorities are aware of this, that it would be unfair to the restricted countries if others derived undue benefit from their restraint.

Mr. Howarth

While thanking my right hon. Friend for that reply, may I ask whether he is aware that, although both sides of industry have been quite pleased with the efforts that the Government have made to give them some measure of protection which was lacking for so long during the period of rule by the party opposite, this represents a serious loophole which we hope will be closed very soon?

Mr. Jay

As I think my hon. friend knows, I have discussed this with the Portuguese Minister of Trade. The Portuguese Government are very well aware of our point of view.

Mr. Barnett

Would not my right hon. Friend agree that in Lancashire the textile industry has suffered more than most? Can he tell us when he expects to be able to fulfil the pledge to set up an Imports Commission?

Mr. Jay

It is precisely because Lancashire has suffered that we have agreed and introduced this exceptional form of protection. I would refer my hon. Friend to the Order on the Textile Council which we shall be moving in this House next week.

Mr. Burden

May I ask whether this is not likely to be the general trend because, if we were to push out industries which are non-competitive in the E.F.T.A. countries and move the employees into other industries in which we can export to these countries, how can we deny the exports of the E.F.T.A. countries to this country?

Mr. Jay

I am constantly reminding the Portuguese Government that they have special obligations to our exports, as we have to theirs.

Mr. Barber

Did I understand the right hon. Gentleman to say in answer to one of his hon. Friends that an Imports Commission is to be set up in accord-once with the promise made by the party opposite?

Mr. Jay

No, Sir. I said that in the coming week we would bring in an Order for the extension of the Cotton Board on to a much wider basis.