Mr. Ted Fletcherasked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) what representations he has made to the EEC Commissioners on the subject of the introduction of quantitative restrictions on the import of textiles, including acrylic yarns from Taiwan; and whether, in view of the recession in the textile industry, he will seek to resolve this matter with the EEC as a matter of urgency;
(2) whether, and if so under what treaty provisions, his Department is bound to accept directives on the import of textiles from Taiwan from the EEC Commissioners, in view of the fact that that country is not recognised by the EEC.
§ Mr. DeakinsThe authorities in Taiwan are not recognised by the Government or by other EEC member Governments, and are not party to the GATT Arrangement Regarding International Trade in Textiles. The Community therefore decided that restraints should be imposed unilaterally on textile imports from Taiwan. These restraints will be imposed by Council regulations, and will form part of the common commercial policy as required by Article 113 of the EEC Treaty.
435WThe EEC Commission has consulted member Governments on the content of the draft regulations, which cover a wide range of cotton and man-made fibre textiles including acrylic yarns, and will shortly submit them to the Council for approval by member Governments.
The Government are continuing to press for speedy action by the Community. In the meanwhile, existing United Kingdom restraints on imports of cotton textiles from Taiwan have been maintained.