§ Dr. Hampsonasked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) what is the present state of talks within the EEC on operating the multifibre arrangement against 182W cheap imports of wool textile fabrics and outer garments;
(2) what proposals have so far come from the Commission of the EEC with regard to operating the multifibre arrangement; and what attitude to them has so far been adopted by Her Majesty's Government.
§ Mr. ShoreAgreement has been reached in Brussels on mandates for negotiating bilateral agreements under Article 4 of the GATT Multifibre Arrangement between the EEC and several major supplying countries. An agreement with India has been signed; and negotiations with some other suppliers are well advanced. The Government are continuing to press for speedy action by the Community in completing these arrangements. They will cover a range of wool textile fabrics and outer garments, but details of coverage and quota levels cannot yet be given and must await the outcome of negotiations.