§ Mr. Nicholas Wintertonasked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) what discussions have been held with his Department about the level of imports of textiles from Mexico and Yugoslavia; and if he will make a statement about the Multi-Fibre Arrangement negotiations with these two countries;
(2) what progress is being made by the Community in its negotiations of bilateral agreements under the Multi-Fibre Arrangement with Brazil and Colombia;
(3) what discussions have been held with his Department about textile imports from Egypt, Thailand and the Philippines; and if he will make a statement about the Multi-Fibre Arrangement negotiations with these countries.
§ Mr. DeakinsLevels of textile and clothing imports from our main supplying countries are the subject of regular discussion between the Government and representatives of the textile and clothing industries, trade unions, and individual firms. EEC negotiations with Brazil and Colombia for bilateral agreements under the MFA are still in progress; negotiations with Egypt, Thailand, Mexico and Yugoslavia are likely to start shortly.650W The EEC has no plans to negotiate an agreement with the Philippines.
§ Mr. Nicholas Wintertonasked the Secretary of State for Trade what proposals he has to replace the Multi-Fibre Arrangement which is due to expire on 31st December 1977.
§ Mr. DeakinsBefore considering any proposals to replace the GATT Multi-Fibre Arrangement it would be better to await the major review of the Arrangement to be undertaken later this year by the GATT Textiles Committee.
§ Mr. Nicholas Wintertonasked the Secretary of State for Trade what representations he has received expressing concern at the high level of some of the restraint levels in textiles agreed in the renegotiations under the Multi-Fibre Arrangement.
§ Mr. DeakinsI have received a number of representations from both sides of industry. As required by the GATT Multi-Fibre Arrangement, restraint levels have generally been based either on trade levels existing before the start of negotiations for each Agreement, or, where goods previously entered under quota, on the quota levels in force at that time.