Multi-fibre Arrangement (Hansard, 19 December 1984)

§ 13. Mr. Kirkwood
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to be in a position to publish the Silbertson report on the future of the multi-fibre arrangement.

§ Mr. Channon
The report was published on 13 December.

§ Mr. Kirkwood
A cursory analysis of the report shows many parts where the conclusions seem to be based on speculative hypotheses rather than on firm evidence, and where the policy recommendations seem to fail to take account of the implications for some of the areas affected by the report's conclusions. Will the Minister assure the House that he will take other counsel as well as consider the recommendations in the Silbertson report before agreeing to phase out the agreement rapidly?

§ Mr. Channon
Most definitely. Before any decision is taken, I hope to obtain the views of the industry and all the other people who are interested in this topic.

§ Mr. Gerald Howarth
Is my right hon. Friend aware that this is a sunrise and not a sunset industry? Is he further aware that the industry is not afraid of fair free trade, but that many non-tariff barriers are imposed on British textile exports? Until those non-tariff barriers can be eliminated, some type of MFA is required.

§ Mr. Channon
I note my hon. Friend's views on that topic, and we shall bear them very much in mind.

§ Mr. Madden
Does the Minister agree that the proposals in the report met with a chorus of criticism from the British textile industry and that his reply during the last Trade and Industry Question Time gave rise to considerable concern? Will give a clear assurance, without equivocation, reservations, winks or nods, that the British Government are totally committed to the renegotiation of the MFA to ensure that there is no unfair import penetration and to protect British textile jobs?

§ Mr. Channon
I read accounts which were critical of the report and the comments which were favourable. At the moment the Government are merely consulting. Surely we are entitled to consult and consider all the evidence before any decisions are reached.

§ Mr. Brandon-Bravo
Is my right hon. Friend not conerned that the report appears to support and enourage the export of British jobs? Should not such a policy be resisted with great vigour?

§ Mr. Channon
Put like that, my hon. Friend makes a very persuasive argument. I do not necessarily accept his preface, but I must repeat to the House that all views will be gratefully received. We shall consider them carefully. The Government will have to make their position clear to the House when the decisions have been arrived at.

§ Mr. John Smith
Is the Minister aware that much of the criticism focused on the report has pointed out that its conclusions are flawed because of the doubtful assumptions and methodology adopted by its author? Will that fact be borne in mind? Is the right hon. Gentleman seriously telling the House that the Government have not reached a conclusion about whether they want a new MFA? Is it not high time that the Government committed themselves clearly to another MFA and told the House of that commitment?

§ Mr. Channon
Of course we shall tell the House. The report was received only six days ago. Surely we are entitled to study the report and the evidence in favour of more liberalisation, and the evidence in favour of less liberalisation. That seems to be perfectly reasonable, and I believe that any sensible Government would wish to study all the evidence before coming to a conclusion.

§ Mrs. Kellett-Bowman
Does my right hon. Friend accept that, although we appreciate the fact that he must study this newly published report, a word of encouragement to the textile industry, which during the past 20 years has suffered traumatically, would be much appreciated? The industry urgently needs not just one renewal of the MFA, but possibly two.

§ Mr. Channon
From the exchanges in the House today, I am left in no doubt about the feeling that exists on both sides on this issue. It is something which I and the Government must consider. I entirely agree with my hon. Friend. The textile industry has done extremely well and has good prospects for the future.