§ Mr. Woolmerasked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) in his consideration of the outward processing proposal for textiles and clothing. if he has made estimates of the extent of such trade which exists in the United Kingdom and the European Community; and, if not, what views and consideration he has taken into account in his detailed examination of the effect of the proposal on the United Kingdom's industry;
(2) if he has authorised any investigations or studies concerning information on outward processed trade from within his Department or elsewhere; and if he is aware of any such detailed research and information studies being carried out, 753W or authorised by, the European Commission.
§ Mr. Parkinson[pursuant to his reply, 13 March 1980]: The draft regulation on outward processing trade with the Mediterranean countries in textiles and clothing would, in its present form, have no direct effect on the United Kingdom industry, and I have not sought any detailed studies of the extent of that trade. The regulation's main provisions relate to the allocation within each member State of special quotas for outward processed goods. The United Kingdom does not have such quotas, and counts all outward processed goods against existing quotas. We have been in touch with the United Kingdom industry at all stages of the discussions on the draft regulation and we shall continue to keep it informed.