§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in view of the number of interests involved and the complex issues in connection with the evolving of a common commercial policy for textiles within the Community, whether he will give an assurance that he will not reach an agreement with the Commission or Court of Ministers of the European Economic Community before notifying the British textile industry and the House of Commons.
§ Mr. NobleMy Department will keep the industry and the House informed on progress towards a common commercial policy for textiles in discussions with the Commission and Member States. The views we put forward will take account of points made by industry and Members of Parliament.
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§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he has discussed with representatives of British industry engaged in the cotton yarns business the Community's attitude regarding the ending of quotas on cotton yarn; what has been their attitude to the Community's liberalisation of imports of these products; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NobleThe Department has held discussions with representatives of the textile industry who are concerned about this. I am not in a position to make a statement at this stage.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the rule of confidentiality of discussions with the Commission in Brussels ends on the Commission reaching an agreement for submission to the Council of Ministers; and whether he will agree to make an announcement to the House of Commons when agreement has been reached with the Commission about a common Community commercial policy for textiles.
§ Mr. NobleWhile details of confidential discussions between the Commission and a Member State are not published, the House will have ample opportunity to discuss the issues before the Council of Ministers eventually take final decisions on a common commercial policy for textiles.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, whether, how and in what way the adoption of Regulation 160/72/EEC of 25th January, 1972, establishing a Community supervision on imports of unwrought lead, other than bullion lead, coming from countries listed in Annex 11 to Regulation (EEC) No. 1025/70, will affect British industry engaged in these activities; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NobleRegulation 160/72, which expires next January, will not apply in the United Kingdom. Its application by the Six has had no effect on our export trade.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how 257W and in what way the adoption of Regulation No. 2822/71/EEC of 20th December, 1971, amplifying the provisions of Regulation No. 17 or implementing Articles 85 and 86 of the Treaty will affect British industry so far as competition is concerned; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NobleThe Regulation will relieve British firms of the need to notify to the European Commission certain additional categories of agreements which fall within the scope of Article 85 of the Treaty of Rome.