Textiles (Hansard, 25 June 1974)

§ Mr. Normanton
asked the Secretary of State for Industry what machinery has been established to enable his Department to monitor the imports of textiles 440W and garments; and whether the machinery is designed to indicate possible market disruption.

§ Mr. Meacher
The Government have import and surveillance licensing procedures to monitor imports of specific textile and clothing items considered sensitive to United Kingdom industry. Statistical data exist to permit the monitoring of other items as required.

§ Mr. Normanton
asked the Secretary of State for Industry what progress is being made in ensuring that textile yarn and cloth quotas, which continue in force throughout 1974, will be extended under international agreements.

§ Mr. Meacher
The Government are participating fully in the preparation of a European Economic Community policy for the negotiation of bilateral agreements with major textile supplying countries. Pending agreement of such a policy United Kingdom textile restraints have been extended into 1974. All future textile restraints will need to accord to the recent GATT multifibre arrangement which provides for the elimination of all quantitative restrictions which cannot be shown to protect against real risks of market disruption.

§ Mr. Normanton
asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he will seek to have cotton yarns removed from the trade liberalisation lists relating to the European Economic Community, and thereby place the United Kingdom spinning industry on a similar basis of trade regulation as applies in practice in the other member States of the Community.

§ Mr. Meacher
The United Kingdom Government have no plans to seek removal of cotton yarn from the "liberalisation list" of Regulation 1025/70 of the European Economic Community. They have secured a derogation from this regulation, allowing it to maintain quantitative restrictions on cotton yarn throughout 1974. All other member States are required to allow unrestricted cotton yarn imports.Pari passu with the raising of United Kingdom cotton yarn quotas, however, the United Kingdom Government are seeking firm agreement to secure movement towards parity in burden-sharing of imports of low-cost cotton textiles.