HC Deb 05 March 1986 vol 93 cc131-2W
Sir John Farr

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will name those countries, which are multi-fibre arrangement signatories, which are regarded by his Department as having open markets for multi-fibre arrangement purposes.

Mr. Alan Clark

The Government have said that in our view favourable treatment should be given to those developing countries whose own barriers to British exporters are low. This is a matter of degree, but Hong Kong, Macao and Singapore would seem to meet such a definition.

Sir John Farr

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he supports the increased growth rates in the multi-fibre arrangement quota system proposed by the European Commission.

Mr. Alan Clark

Some increases on existing growth rates may be justified, especially for the poorest countries and countries which themselves offer open markets.

Mr. Haynes

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will explain the administrative systems he envisages to control any liberalisation of children's clothing under the multi-fibre arrangement, having regard to equity as between the member states and the elimination of abuse.

Mr. Alan Clark

The question whether and to what extent children's clothing should be liberalised under a renewed MFA is still under discussion in the Community, taking account among other things of administrative practicability and possible problems of fraud. The method of administrative control will depend on the decision reached.

Mr. Haynes

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will name those countries which are multi-fibre arrangement signatories, which are regarded by his Department as genuinely poor countries for multi-fibre arrangement purposes.

Mr. Alan Clark

The present MFA does not provide for special treatment for the poorest countries, but the United Kingdom has argued that the renewed arrangements should do so. Whether to adopt the wider World Bank definition or the UN definition is still under discussion in the Community. The United Kingdom has argued for the wider one, which includes such countries as India, not covered by the narrower definition. The narrower the definition the more favourable the treatment that might be given to such countries.