§ 2.35 p.m.
§ LORD BARNBYMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper and, in so doing, to draw attention to the fact that the word "apparent" has been omitted before "refusal".
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, in view of their refusal to consider representations by the United Kingdom wool textile industry aimed at arresting the alarming shrinkage of its hitherto valuable export trade to U.S.A., they will now state why they continue to extend marked privileges for Eire textile export to U.K. to the disadvantage of U.K. industry.]
§ THE MINISTER OF STATE, BOARD OF TRADE (LORD DRUMALBYN)My Lords, the Government always give the fullest consideration to representations from the United Kingdom wool industry on any matter affecting the industry's interests. This certainly includes the representations to which the noble Lord refers. As regards imports into Britain of wool textiles from the Irish Republic, these are governed by the provisions of the Anglo-Irish Trade Agreements of 1938, 1948 and 1960.
§ LORD BARNBYMy Lords, in regard to the second part of the noble Lord's reply, is it to be understood that there is no likelihood of any attempt being made to limit this apparent injustice to British industry when the inflow into this country is free while products going to Ireland attract a high duty? With regard to 350 the first part of the reply, I would ask him to be more categoric and to say whether it is to be understood that Her Majesty's Government, in view of the statement made by Mr. Dean Rusk on March 18 that on the previous day they had expressed their unwillingness to discuss the problem, are willing to discuss the suggestions put forward by the wool textile industries of the United States and Europe, if approached by the United States so to do.
§ LORD DRUMALBYNMy Lords, with regard to the first part of the noble Lord's question, the duty from the Irish Republic is at present suspended because an import quota is in force for all cloths weighing 4½ ounces a square yard or more. The quota has been increased from January 1, 1964, by 10 per cent. In point of fact, our exports of woven wool fabrics to the Irish Republic last year slightly exceeded imports from the Irish Republic, although both figures include cloths sent to the United Kingdom for processing and returned to the Republic.
With regard to the second supplementary, Her Majesty's Government have stated on several occasions that they are opposed to the introduction of any new international quota arrangements for manufactured goods. They do, however, give the most careful consideration to all representations which are put forward by the wool textile industry. I do not think that I can add further to what I have said.
§ LORD BARNBYMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord for his reply. It would appear to be rather difficult to understand, if not contradictory. He did not answer my question. I take it that he is unable to answer it, and perhaps that must be accepted. My question was: would Her Majesty's Government be prepared to discuss suggestions put forward, if approached by the United States Government? Perhaps the noble Lord could now answer that.
§ LORD DRUMALBYNMy Lords, I think the noble Lord will be well aware of the difficulty of answering a hypothetical question of that character.
§ LORD BARNBYWith due respect to the noble Lord, the conference held in Paris in March decided that an approach should be made to Her Majesty's 351 Government which would possibly lead up to a world agreement on wool similar to that which already exists in regard to cotton. The belief that Her Majesty's Government are opposed to that has caused this disquiet, and is the subject of my Question. With regard to the second part of the Question, was I correct to understand the noble Lord to say that those imports into the United Kingdom from Eire are subject to quota? If so, it seems to be in conflict with the answer he gave in regard to another of my questions.
§ LORD DRUMALBYNNo, my Lords. The noble Lord said that the imports into Ireland of wool textiles were subject to a high duty. I replied that for the time being the duty is in suspense. In regard to goods coming into this country, the Anglo-Irish Trade Agreements provide for duty-free entry for nearly all the Republic's exports to the United Kingdom, and in some cases a guaranteed margin of preference. In return we enjoy duty-free entry for certain goods and guaranteed margins of preference on a wide range of British exports to the Republic.
Perhaps I might be allowed to comment on the first part of what the noble Lord said. I do not think that it was in the form of a question. The noble Lord will be aware that the negotiations which took place were negotiations between the industries in Paris, and not negotiations between the Governments. As a result of those negotiations, the various industries of the various countries were invited to approach their Governments. I have stated Her Majesty's Government's position on the question of any new international quota arrangements for manufactured goods; that is our position. We are always willing to listen to argument, but we have heard no argument so far that would lead us to change our views in that manner.