§ Mr. Giles Shawasked the Secretary of State for Trade why, in the light of his undertaking in March to the wool textile industry that the quota for wool suits from Romania would be reduced by 40,000, he authorised a total quota of 370,000 suits to be imported in 1976.
Mr. Alan Williams,pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 17th December 1976; Vol. 922, c. 881–2], gave the following information:
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade announced on 10th March 1976 that, following discussions with five Eastern European suppliers of men's woollen suits, voluntary and imposed restraints would limit maximum sendings during 1976 to a level about 8 per cent. below those for 1975. The estimated reduction from the five countries was 30,000.
149WThe Community's negotiations under the Multi Fibre Arrangement with Romania resulted in agreement on a figure of 370,000 for suits of wool and of man made fibre to the United Kingdom, which was only slightly higher than total imports in 1975. The MFA provides that the restriction sought must be based on recent performance.
§ Mr. Giles Shawasked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) why he has allowed the quota of imported suits from Romania to be increased for 1977, and if he will make a statement;
(2) why, in the light of the Government's policy on support for the United Kingdom clothing industry, he has allowed imports from Romania to increase for 1977.
Mr. Alan Williams,pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 17th December 1976; Vol. 922, c. 881–2], gave the following information:
The Multi Fibre Arrangement provides for annual growth in agreed quotas of at least 6 per cent. We secured a figure for 1977 for United Kingdom imports which represents an increase of less than this proportion.
Imports in 1975 1976 Quota 1977 Quota Suits … … … … … 368 370 384 Jackets … … … … … 180 237 241 Overcoats … … … … … 59 120 146 Imports of suits in the first eight months of 1976 totalled 158,410.
§ Mr. Nicholas Wintertonasked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will make a statement on the new quota levels for men's and boys' suits recently agreed with Romania.
§ Mr. DellI would refer the hon. Member to the replies which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Industry has given today to the related questions by the hon. Member for Pudsey (Mr. Shaw).