§ Mr. MealeTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress is being made in the GATT Uruguay round of trade negotiations towards international harmonisation of tariffs on textiles and clothing and the reduction of other trade barriers facing United Kingdom exports.
§ Mr. Sainsbury[holding answer 12 December 1991]: There has been some support from participants in the GATT Uruguay round for the international harmonisation of textile and clothing tariffs (i.e. maximum levels would be agreed for each type of product). The European Community continues to press for agreement. We are aware of the textile and clothing industry's concerns about other trade barriers facing United Kingdom exports and these have been drawn to the attention of the European Commission, which continues to work for their elimination.