HC Deb 01 August 1963 vol 682 c146W
Sir J. Barlow

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has considered the request of the cotton industry for the categorisation of low-priced imports; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Erroll

Yes. The Government are satisfied that a reasonable measure of categorisation is desirable and justified to prevent price disruption in the home market for cotton textiles. I do not believe that the present state of affairs is satisfactory either for our own industry or for the exporting countries whose need to earn sterling I recognise as of the highest importance. I am accordingly very glad to welcome the expressed intention of the Indian cotton textile industry to enter into early discussions with their British opposite numbers about the categorisation of imports. Officials from both Governments will be present at these talks.