HC Deb 24 July 1990 vol 177 cc149-50W
Sir John Farr

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with Ministers from other European Community countries on the need for barriers to Community exports of textiles and clothing to be reduced, and for subsidies to be ended.

Mr. Sainsbury

There are regular discussions between EC Ministers, both bilaterally and in the Council, on the current Uruguay round of GATT multilateral trade negotiations, in which one of the Community's main objectives is to secure greater market opening and effective rules on subsidies.

Sir John Farr

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he last met representatives from the Apparel, Knitting and Textiles Alliance; and what matters were discussed.

Mr. Sainsbury

My right hon. Friend's predecessor met representatives of the Apparel, Knitting and Textiles Alliance on 12 June to discuss progress in the GATT Uruguay round of multilateral trade negotiations.

Sir John Farr

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress has been made in negotiations for strengthening general agreement on tariffs and trade rules and disciplines applying to international trade in textiles; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Sainsbury

The trade negotiations committee is meeting this week in Geneva to take stock of progress in all 15 Uruguay round negotiating groups on the basis of reports from the groups' chairmen. The aim of the meeting will be to narrow differences of view as far as possible and to identify areas where further work is needed. The EC's position—supported by the United Kingdom—is that trade in textiles should be integrated into GATT on the basis of strengthened rules and disciplines.

Mr. Madden

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress is being made in the GATT negotiations on the future framework for world trade in textiles and clothing.

Mr. Sainsbury

The chairman of the GATT negotiating group on textiles and clothing has produced a chairman's report for consideration by the trade negotiations committee in Geneva this week. This is designed to take into account various negotiating positions and, therefore, contains a significant number of alternative options. Many of these differences of view are unlikely to be resolved until nearer the end of the negotiations in December, but the European Community continues to press for a progressive phase out of the MFA over a transitional period and on the basis of strengthened GATT rules and disciplines.

Mr. Madden

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations have been made to his Department by the textiles and clothing industries regarding the GATT rules(a) governing subsidies, (b) governing dumping, (c) controlling theft of designs and brand names and (d) on safeguards.

Mr. Sainsbury

The GATT rules mentioned by the hon. Member are the subject of regular representations to Ministers in my Department, particularly in the context of the current multilateral trade negotiations.

Mr. Madden

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the level of imports of textiles and clothing in the first four months of 1990, and for the same four months in 1989.

Mr. Sainsbury

The value of imports was £2,662 million in the first four months of 1990, compared with £2,411 million in the same four months of 1989.

Mr. Madden

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations have been made to his Department by the textiles and clothing industries about the trade barriers faced by United Kingdom exporters to countries outside the European Community.

Mr. Sainsbury

Ministers in the Department frequently receive representations from the textile industry about foreign barriers to United Kingdom exports, both directly and through hon. Members. It is one of the European Community's main aims in the Uruguay round to achieve a reduction by all parties in their tariff and non-tariff barriers.

Mr. Madden

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the level of United Kingdom textiles and clothing(a) imports from and (b) exports to Turkey in the first four months of 1990.

Mr. Sainsbury

The figures are:

  1. (a) £80 million.
  2. (b) £7 million.