HC Deb 17 January 1972 vol 829 cc10-1
14. Mr. Tebbit

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to what extent, when forming his decision to retain in 1972 the present quotas for cotton textile imports, he took into account the needs of clothing manufacturers who can obtain neither the textiles they require nor substitutes from United Kingdom manufacturers.

The Minister for Industry (Sir John Eden)

The needs of clothing manufacturers, along with those of the cotton textiles industry generally, were fully taken into account in reaching the decision to retain quota controls.

Mr. Tebbit

Is my hon. Friend aware that in his letter of 14th July replying to my letter dated 17th December about corduroy imports he said that the purpose of the quota controls was to prevent the United Kingdom industry from being disrupted by an upsurge in imports? The United Kingdom mills cannot take any more orders for two years. Is my hon. Friend aware that the disruption my constituents fear is that they will lose their jobs because their employers cannot anywhere in the world market gain access to corduroy material to import to Britain before the end of 1972?

Sir J. Eden

The quota controls permit the import from the developing countries of 2 million square yards of finished corduroy. In addition to that, substantial quantities of loom state corduroy would also be admitted. I think that about 2 million square yards a year in the unfinished form are coming in from Hong Kong. The balance of the United Kingdom's requirements is made up by imports from the developed countries, notably Canada, the United States of America and the Netherlands, which together supply about 4½ million square yards of finished corduroy a year.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

In the latter part of his answer the Minister referred to imports from a number of Commonwealth countries. Will he assure us that if we join the Common Market no restriction in this respect will be placed upon us by the E.E.C. and that imports from Commonwealth countries will be allowed to enter the country in the same way and on the same basis as now?

Sir J. Eden

From the beginning of this year the United Kingdom making up industry will have the new protection of a tariff on imports of woven cotton made-ups from the Commonwealth Preference area.

Mr. Tebbit

On a point of order. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of that reply, I beg to give notice that I shall seek to raise this matter on the Adjournment.