§ Mr. Lamondasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will take urgent action to protect the Lancashire textile industry from the effects of the importation of cotton yarn, which will take place free from duty or quantitative restriction if Great Britain joins the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. NobleFrom accession, we would not be able to maintain quantitative restrictions on cotton yarn imports, but duty-free entry will not be accorded to imports from our partners in the Community or from the Mediterranean countries having preferential agreements with the Community until the end of the transitional period. Imports from outside the Community will in general become subject to the full Common External Tariff. Pending the conclusion of negotiations for the renewal of the Yaounde Convention, the United Kingdom will retain its present tariff on imports from the countries covered by Article 109 of the Treaty of Accession. The question of the treatment to be accorded to imports of cotton yarn in the enlarged Community's Generalised Scheme of Preferences will be a matter for discussion after entry. Article 135 of the Treaty of Accession allows the EEC Commission to authorise emergency action during the transitional period to deal with serious and persistent difficulties.