§ Q23. Mr. Adamsasked the Prime Minister what further steps she intends to take to protect the British textile industry.
§ The Prime MinisterUnder the multi-fibre arrangement and associated arrangements there already exists a very extensive regime of controls against imports of low cost textiles and clothing. Well over 400 quotas are now in place covering imports from more than 40 countries. Nearly 50 new quotas have been introduced since this Government took office.
In addition, at our urging, the Community has begun urgent discussions with the new United States Administration with the aim of finding solutions to the serious problems caused by a sharp increase in imports of United States textiles into the United Kingdom in 1980.
The present multi-fibre arrangement expires at the end of this year and we shall work, through the Community and the GATT, for an effective successor arrangement. We shall be seeking the best deal it is possible to negotiate taking account of British interests as a whole.