§ Mr. Adam Butlerasked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) what representations have been made by or on behalf of Her Majesty's Government to Committee 113 of the EEC Commission in regard to restraints on imports of knitted textiles of all types; and if he will specify which knitted goods if any have not been the subject of request for restraint;
(2) if he will take steps to avoid the risk of disruption of the United Kingdom half-hose industry in the event of a regional implementation of restraint on imports of socks by some other EEC countries and the switching of such low-cost imports into the United Kingdom market.
§ Mr. DeakinsIn discussions of the mandates for the EEC's negotiations with the major Asian suppliers of low-cost knitwear, agreement has now been reached as to the products on which it would be consistent with the multifibre arrangement to seek Community-wide restraint. As talks with the supplying countries have not yet opened, it would not be appropriate to reveal details of the EEC's negotiating position. Where exceptionally there are regional restraints in other Community countries on particular products, Her Majesty's Government will keep our imports of these goods under close review.