§ 3.23 p.m.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they can state the Special Safeguard Measures relating to the importation of special textile products announced on behalf of the European Communities Commission to the European Assembly and specify the varieties of textiles and multi-fibres involved; the nature of the measures contemplated; and when they are likely to come into force.
§ Lord BESWICKMy Lords, if my noble friend refers to the statement made by M. Simonet, Vice-President of the Commission, on 20th June the action taken under Article 3 of the GATT Multi-fibre Arrangement is: to establish quantitative restrictions on imports from South Korea into Ireland of knitted and woven shirts of synthetic fibres; to establish quantitative restrictions on imports from South Korea into Germany and the Benelux countries of socks made from yarns of synthetic fibres; to enable the German authorities to suspend the issue of import authorisations for woven cotton cloth from Brazil until 31st May 1976.
Analogous action has been taken to impose quantitative restrictions on imports from Taiwan by Germany and the Benelux countries. These measures are already in force.
§ Lord HALEMy Lords, is the noble Lord aware that M. Simonet also said that, following the completion of their major surveillance operation, they were having a meeting on 20th November in which he promised that measures would be considered for the protection of this industry, which is now the third largest industry in the Community? All are suffering similar distress, as he said. Can the noble Lord say what are the protective measures contemplated for early implementation on 30th November, and whether Her Majesty's Government will fully support them?
§ Lord BESWICKMy Lords, what has happened is that we already applied restraints on woven cloth from Brazil and on shirts of woven cotton and on some synthetic fibres from South Korea, and these will be extended to include shirts of all fibres, knitted as well as woven, when the current negotiations between the EEC and South Korea are completed. Other discussions are taking place which we are trying to expedite.
§ Lord HALEMy Lords, with great respect to the noble Lord, while thanking him for that answer I would point out that it was not an answer to the question I put to him. Will Her Majesty's Government support the proposals contemplated by M. Simonet, who made an excellent speech on this matter and recognised the problems, and will he realise that talking about preventing the import of a pair of knickers from here or a pair of stockings from there is wholly irrelevant to a situation in which 150,000 workers in the British textile industry are now on short time?
§ Lord BESWICKYes, my Lords, I am aware of that, and as the noble Lord knows these negotiations are being conducted with the object of applying restraint in certain cases. I hope they will be brought to a satisfactory conclusion.
§ Baroness HORNSBY-SMITHMy Lords, is the noble Lord aware that the position is very acute with so many people on short time in this most important industry, and that we really cannot afford to wait month after month while different items are picked out, while yarns, fabrics and garments in much greater quantity than the items listed by the noble Lord are pouring in at distressed prices? As this is one of our most valuable industries, would he ask his right honourable friend to move as fast as possible to give some protection to this industry?
§ Lord BESWICKMy Lords, I recognise the difficulties that exist here, and I also recognise how deeply a number of my noble friends feel about them, but in fact we have taken certain action. We are proposing to take certain other action and, on the wider interests of assistance to the textile industry, I hope there will be a Statement, if not next week, very shortly.
§ Lord BARNBYMy Lords, can the Minister say if the extension of surveillance as requested by the Commissioner be extended to garments also, that it is still the view of the Government that the provisions of GATT under which that would fall would still, because of our adverse balance of payments position, not be a safeguard against retaliation, or the fear of retaliation, which has been emphasised as a possibility in the past?
§ Lord BESWICKMy Lords, there is surveillance licensing now on fibres, yarns and fabrics from non-EEC sources. The British Textile Confederation's proposal that this should be extended to the made-up textile garments is, as the noble Lord knows, being considered and I hope a Statement will be made shortly.
§ The Earl of ONSLOWMy Lords, is the noble Lord aware that in this particular case the trade unions have behaved in a responsible. helpful and co-operative manner, and it seems grossly unfair that when they do behave like that they are the wretched people who suffer, as opposed to those who do not behave in a responsible manner and who do not suffer?
§ Lord BESWICKMy Lords, I am not quite sure that I go along with the noble Earl in that. I have met joint delegations, and it is perfectly true that the unions, together with the employers, have acted most responsibly. There have been very close discussions with both sides of the industry; some things have been done and I hope other things will follow.
§ Lord BARNBYMy Lords, I do not wish unreasonably to press the Minister, but with regard to the attitude of doubt under GATT he did not answer my question as to whether the surveillance would properly fall as permissible.
§ Lord BESWICKMy Lords, I am sorry, but I do not quite understand what the noble Lord is asking. I have told him that certain surveillance licensing is already in operation. He asked me whether the extension to the made-up textile garments has been included; my answer to that is that the matter is still under consideration, but I hope that a Statement will be made shortly.
§ Lord BARNBYMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord for that clarification. Will he really take notice of what has been emphasised already, and of the real urgency of this matter from the point of view not only of employment, but also from the viewpoint that many textile firms are bleeding to death? Will he take note also of the fact that there will be further closures, as there was last week of a large spinning concern in Yorkshire? These will prove to be a great danger for future employment.