§ Mr. Thompsonasked the Secretary of State for Trade whether agreements relating to textiles and clothing have been concluded between the United Kingdom Government and the European Commission under article 115 of the Treaty of Rome to deny the import of goods which are otherwise in free circulation; and if he will give details of any such agreements.
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§ Mr. ParkinsonMy hon. Friend may have in mind a new regulation adopted by the Commission on 20 December regarding the operation of article 115. The regulation was the subject of advance consultation with ourselves and other member States, but ultimately the operation of article 115 is a matter for the Commission and there was no question of agreements.
§ Mr. Thompsonasked the Secretary of State for Trade what agreements have been reached in his discussions with the European Commission regarding outward processing, the restriction of such trade to single stage processes only, the restriction of such trade to bona fide manufactures only, the amount or proportion of outward processing allowed to any one manufacturer, definitions as to the meaning of the terms semi-finished goods, the rules of origin on such goods, the provision of safeguard arrangements against market disruption, and on member State control of the outward processing licences; and if he will make a statement on how he sees the present discussions securing the future of the British clothing industry.
§ Mr. ParkinsonNo agreements have yet been reached on these matters, which form part of the proposed Commission regulation on outward processed trade. This regulation will lay down procedures for administering special quotas for outward processed goods, and since no such quotas have been opened by the United Kingdom it will have no direct effect on United Kingdom industry.