§ 29. Mr. Ron Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will provide an up-to-date report on the current state of negotiations on the multi-fibre arrangement.
§ Mr. ButcherThe European Commission is conducting the negotiations on renewal of the MFA on behalf of the Community in accordance with the mandate approved by the Council of Ministers on 11 March. I am confident that a protocol of extension of the MFA will be negotiated by the end of July, when the present arrangement expires. In parallel the Community has reached provisional agreement with a number of supplier countries on the renewal of bilateral agreements. My hon. Friend the Minister of Trade is keeping in close touch with the industry and other interested parties as the negotiations progress.
§ 33. Mr. Patchettasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received about the renewal of the multi-fibre arrangement; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ButcherMy hon. Friend is maintaining close contact with the industry as negotiations progress and receives representations from them on a wide range of points. He has also received representations from the trade unions, the World Development Movement, importers, consumers and local authorities.
§ 37. Mr. Pikeasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent representations he has received regarding the renewal of the multi-fibre arrangement; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ButcherMy hon. Friend is maintaining close contact with the industry as negotiations progress and receives representations from them on a wide range of points. He has also received representations from the trade unions, the World Development Movement, importers, consumers and local authorities.
§ Sir John Farrasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what provisions European Economic Community negotiators are making in discussions about the multi-fibre arrangements for the possibility that the 531W United States Government may be unable to sign the new multi-fibre arrangement if the Bill to be debated in Congress on 6 August to cut back clothing and textile imports from Third world countries is passed.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkNegotiations on a renewal of the multi-fibre arrangement will resume in Geneva on 21 July. The United States is playing a full part in the negotiations. I am hopeful that a conclusion acceptable to all parties will be reached.
§ Sir John Farrasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the outcome of the meeting on 2 and 3 July in Geneva in relation to the new multi-fibre arrangement.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkThe GATT textiles committee met on 2 July. There is a broad consensus that the MFA should be renewed, but detailed drafting of a new protocol has not yet started. The committee will meet again on 21 July, with the objective of concluding a new protocol before the end of the month.
§ Sir John Farrasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the anticipated duration of the new multi-fibre arrangement.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkThe duration of renewal of the multi-fibre arrangement is still under discussion. The European Community is seeking an extension for four or five years.
§ Sir John Farrasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what quota growth rates in relation to the multi-fibre arrangement have been incorporated into the agreements so far initialled.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkThe details of provisional agreements between the European Community and supplier countries cannot he publicly disclosed while negotiations with other countries are still in progress. I am satisfied that these provisional agreements adequately safeguard British interests.
§ Sir John Farrasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what analysis he has had conducted on the number of jobs likely to be lost in the clothing and textile industries of the European Economic Community and of the United Kingdom if the multi-fibre arrangement is renewed on the terms proposed by the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkThe last study of the economic effects of the multi-fibre arrangement to be commissioned by the Government was that by Professor Silberston, published in December 1984. A copy is in the Library.
§ Sir John Farrasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether it is his intention to seek the inclusion of a clause in the new multi-fibre arrangement to ensure that trade in clothing and textiles will benefit employees in the poorest countries.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkYes. The European Community, with strong British support, is aiming to ensure that the renewed MFA gives special treatment for the poorest suppliers of textiles and clothing, such as Bangladesh. Employees in these countries can best be helped by providing markets for their goods.