§ Mr. Wintertonasked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) if he will consider imposing tighter quota restrictions on the import of textile products from Portugal, Tiawan and Korea; and if he will make a statement;
(2) whether he will press for the imposition of strict quotas or a reduction in the supply of cheap textiles into the United Kingdom from Portugal, Taiwan and Korea; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. DeakinsUnited Kingdom imports from South Korea and Taiwan of woven388W cotton and polyester textiles are already restricted by quota. The EEC will shortly be seeking to continue comparable arrangements together with restraints on a number of additional woven and knitted products under the GATT Multifibre Arrangement which, however, precludes any reduction in existing import levels. A close watch is being kept on imports of Portuguese textiles, which continue to be unrestricted under the terms of the EEC/Portugal Free Trade Agreement.