§ 20. Mr. Woolmerasked the Minister for Trade whether he has made any changes in staffing arrangements in recent months to monitor the need for, and implement if necessary, the anti-surge mechanism on imports of textiles and clothing.
§ Mr. Peter ReesNo. This is not necessary. I consider sufficient staff are available to monitor important statistics on a monthly basis.
§ 21. Mr. Barry Jonesasked the Minister for Trade what further progress has been made on the negotiations regarding textiles and clothing imports from the preferential countries.
§ Mr. Peter ReesNo further agreements have been concluded with the preferential countries since 10 May, when I advised the hon. Member for Carlisle (Mr. Lewis) that voluntary restraint arrangements had been concluded with Egypt and Spain. Negotiations are continuing with the other preferential suppliers.