HC Deb 21 February 1983 vol 37 cc653-4
10. Mr. Stott

asked the Minister for Trade if the full details of the new bilateral agreements under the multifibre arrangement have yet been published.

Mr. Peter Rees

The Council regulations containing details of the provisions of the new MFA bilateral agreements, together with all the 1983 quotas, have now been published in the Official Journal—L.374, dated 31 December 1982. A copy is available in the Library. The texts of the individual bilateral agreements will be submitted to the appropriate Committees of both Houses in the usual way, once they have been formally signed, and will be deposited in the Library.

Mr. Stott

Bearing in mind that the textile and clothing industry is an important part of British industry, is it not serious that details of imports into this country are not yet available? How will the Minister monitor import penetration and ensure that imports do not exceed the level that he negotiated under the MFA?

Mr. Rees

The hon. Gentleman may not have been able to digest my main answer. The 1983 quotas are available, but they are long and complex and about 600 groups are involved. It will take a little time to work out all the details. They are being run through the Commission's computer, but I assure the hon. Gentleman and the House that we shall be able to monitor imports effectively this year and we shall make certain that countries stick to their quotas.

Mr. Bowen Wells

Is my hon. and learned Friend aware that some textile manufacturers in this country, notably Gents of Barnsley, are exporting to such countries as Hong Kong and Japan? Does not that suggest that the MFA should be eased to ensure that other textile manufacturers in this country make their products competitive and of a design that is attractive to export markets, instead of seeking protection?

Mr. Rees

My hon. Friend is right to draw attention to the healthy aspect of the clothing and textile industry. Exports are running at £2 billion a year and some bold and imaginative companies have broken into the Hong Kong and Japanese markets, and deserve congratulations.

Mr. Woolmer

The Minister glossed over the unavailability of statistics. How could he sign an agreement and put it before the House when, even now, he does not have details of the quotas on imports up to 1986?

What is the Minister doing about reducing restrictions on our exports of clothing and textiles to such countries as America, Australia and Brazil, whose tariff barriers are vast compared with our modest restrictions?

Mr. Rees

It was possible for the Commission to assure us that the figures negotiated would be comfortably within the set global ceiling. Strong representations are continually made about tariffs of individual developed countries, but the hon. Gentleman will realise that a solution cannot necessarily be achieved immediately by unilateral action.