§ 35. Mr. Barry Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Trade if he has yet agreed to a negotiating position within the European Economic Commission on the target limits on the rate of growth of groups 2 and 3 products within multi-fibre arrangement III.
§ Mr. BiffenYes. The Council of Ministers agreed on 25 February that growth rates for the less sensitive products outside group 1 should in general be lower than those negotiated under MFA 2. The Committee of Permanent Representatives in Brussels has now agreed upon more specific guidelines for the individual groups and categories involved. However, for the time being, the details must remain part of the Commission's confidential negotiating mandate.
§ Mr. Nicholas Wintertonasked the Secretary of State for Trade if he has yet agreed with his European colleagues the annual growth rates to be applied to quotas on products in groups II and III under the new multi-fibre arrangement.
§ Mr. BiffenI refer my hon. Friend to my hon. and learned Friend's letter of 22 March 1982 to the hon. Member for Batley and Morley (Mr. Woolmer), a copy of which has been deposited in the Library.