§ 3.44 p.m.
§ Baroness HORNSBY-SMITHMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that quota levels entered into under the multi-fibre agreement are honoured and what representations they have made regarding the over-running of such quotas which in some categories amount to over 100 per cent. above the agreed limits.
698§ Lord TREFGARNEMy Lords, quotas established under the Multi-fibre Arrangement are enforced through the issue of import licences, and when the quota limit is reached no further licences are issued. My noble friend is therefore mistaken in her suggestion that some quotas have been exceeded.
§ Baroness HORNSBY-SMITHMy Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for that reply, may I ask whether he is aware that when the multi-fibre agreement was renewed in December 1977 very firm assurances were given to industry that, although the total package fell short of its requirements, the quota levels negotiated—including the ability to implement the basket extractor mechanism which gives rise to these appallingly over-excessive quotas—would be considered under the renewal? Is the noble Lord further aware that Poland exceeded its quotas by 109 per cent. in certain categories; Taiwan by 114 per cent. and Hungary by 90 per cent.? When will the obligations given under that renewal agreement operate and the controls made effective?
§ Lord TREFGARNEMy Lords, I am not certain whether the noble Baroness heard my original Answer. I said that no quotas have been exceeded, and that is the case.