§ Mr. Tom Kingasked the Secretary of State for Industry what representations he has received from the Shirt, Collar and Tie Manufacturers' Federation; and what action he is proposing to take in the light of these representations.
§ Mr. MeacherThe Shirt Collar and Tie Manufacturers' Federation has expressed its concern at the high level of shirt imports. The difficulties facing the shirt industry result from a combination of factors, notably the state of demand. However, imports of most woven shirts from sources which threaten disruption are already restricted consistently with the GATT multi-fibre arrangement on trade in textiles. We support negotiation between the EEC and the principal suppliers on restrictions on disruptive exports of knitted garments and of woven garments of fibre other than cotton and polyester-cotton.