§ Mr. Nobleasked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will make a statement on the latest stage of discussions between the EEC and Portugal concerning textile imports.
§ Mr. DellImports of textiles from Portugal were discussed again at the Council of Ministers on 27th June, in the context of current textile problems generally. We have continued to make it clear that this question presents particular difficulties for us.
§ Mr. Nobleasked the Secretary of State for Trade what is the level of imported textile goods as defined under the Multi-Fibre Arrangement; and how far these have been met at the latest available date for Taiwan, India and Pakistan with specific reference to knitted items, particularly shirts.
§ Mr. DellNinety-eight per cent. of the United Kingdom's low-cost imports of textiles and clothing are covered by actual or potential quantitative restraints, at levels based in general on 1976 imports and with limited growth rates. There are734W quotas for imports of many knitted items, including shirts, from Taiwan, India and Pakistan, and import licences issued by the United Kingdom are within the quota levels. But there may be discrepancies between the 1978 import statistics and quota levels for various reasons such as additional imports licensed only for re-export, or shipments arriving this year but shipped in 1977 and therefore not counting against the 1978 quota.