§ Mr. Kirkwoodasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the embargo recently imposed by the European Community on imports of cotton bed sheets from Pakistan.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkFollowing evidence of market disruption submitted by a number of member states, on 5 March 1987 the European Community imposed a provisional quota of 1,786 tonnes for three months on imports of goods covered by MFA category 20, woven bedlinen, from Pakistan to member states other than France and Italy (where quotas were already in force). The United Kingdom share of this quota is 391 tonnes. The provisional quota was imposed under the terms of article 8 of the EC-Pakistan bilateral textiles agreement, under the multi-fibre arrangement. A first consultation took place between the European Community and Pakistan on 2–3 April with the aim of agreeing a definitive quota level. No conclusion was reached and further consultations will take place shortly.