§ Mr. Barry Jonesasked the Minister for Trade what progress has been made on contingency arrangements for controlling the import of textiles and clothing in the event of the multi-fibre arrangement negotiations being not concluded by the end of 1982.
§ Mr. Peter ReesThe Council of Ministers agreed on 25 October that bilateral agreements already initialled should be honoured and applied from 1 January 1983. The only outstanding negotiations are those with Argentina and South Korea. The Commission is preparing for consideration by the Council unilateral measures on a contingency basis to cover imports from these three countries. I hope, however, that agreement will be reached before the end of the year.
§ 30. Dr. Summerskillasked the Minister for Trade which of the low cost dominant supplier countries have yet to reach agreement within the new multi-fibre arrangement.
§ Mr. Peter ReesSouth Korea.
§ 26. Mr. Strawasked the Minister for Trade if he will make a statement on the multi-fibre arrangement negotiations.
§ Mr. Peter ReesI refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on 24354W November, reporting the outcome of the Council of Ministers on 22 November [c. 855]. Since then, the Commission has concluded new bilateral agreements under the multi-fibre arrangement with Hong Kong, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Brazil and Macao. Negotiations with South Korea and Argentina are continuing.