Textiles (Hansard, 26 June 1972)

§ 6. Mr. Meacher
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement about the present position of the negotiations over textiles with the European Economic Community.

§ The Minister for Trade (Mr. Michael Noble)
I have nothing to add to the reply I gave on 5th June to the hon. Member for Heywood and Royton (Mr. Joel Barnett).—[Vol. 838, c. 2–3.]

§ Mr. Meacher
Since the British Textile Employers Federation assumes that at least 5,000 jobs will be lost as a result of the removal of quotas after entry to the EEC, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he has any policy to reduce this appalling job loss? Has he at least sought to secure an enforceable apportionment to the EEC textile imports according to either population or GNP on a basis that is fair both to the developing countries and to the Ten?

§ Mr. Noble
The hon. Gentleman's calculation in his letter to my right hon. Friend was very much greater than that which he has mentioned. He has mentioned the top end of the employers' calculation which, as he knows, was 3,000 to 5,000. This is certainly a serious matter and the Government are very much interested in the current discussions.

§ Mr. Fidler
Is my right hon. Friend aware of Press reports of correspondence between the Prime Minister and the hon. Member for Oldham, West (Mr. Meacher) which purport to attribute to the Prime Minister the statement—[HON. MEMBERS: "Reading."] I am reading, Mr. Speaker. The purport, and I quote—

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. If the hon. Member is quoting from a newspaper, I must point out that he is not allowed to do so.

§ Mr. Fidler
My memory will serve me. Is my right hon. Friend aware that reports attribute to Her Majesty's Government a statement that there is to be a continual rundown of the textile industry, which is regarded as necessary? Would be repudiate any such suggestions?

§ Mr. Noble
I think the report that my hon. Friend has cited represents accurately what the employers, and indeed to a considerable extent the unions, regarded as the likely result over the next three or four years.

§ Mr. Jay
Does the right hon. Gentleman propose to accept a complete abolition of import quotas on cotton yarn with all the disastrous effects that would have?

§ Mr. Noble
Certainly not. I gave an answer about cotton yarn to my hon. Friend the Member for Oldham, East (Mr. Lamond), on 21st April. That remains the position.

§ Mr. Wilkinson
Would my right hon. Friend not agree that our experience with wool textiles, like that of the Six, will be that there will be a marked increase in intra-Community trade and that with extra-Community imports the degree of penetration is not likely to be severe?

§ Mr. Noble
I hope my hon. Friend is right. I am sure that hon. Members opposite do, too. These are matters which are currently being discussed, and there is nothing further that I can say about them.

§ Mr. Meacher
On a point of order, Mr Speaker. In view of the series of disgraceful answers given by the right hon. Gentleman—

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. The hon. Member must do it in the proper form—"unsatisfactory nature."

§ Mr. Meacher
I am grateful, Mr. Speaker. In view of the very unsatisfactory nature of the Minister's reply, I beg to give notice that I shall seek leave to raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.