§ Mr. Cyril Smithasked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will make a statement concerning the import restrictions imposed on certain goods from Taiwan recently and the effect these restrictions had on those exporters who had 85W letters of irrevocable credit and were affected by the sudden use of restrictions.
§ Mr. ShoreThese restrictions were imposed on a Community-wide basis to protect the Community textile industries against increasing imports of cheap textiles from Taiwan. The effect on holders of irrevocable letters of credit has varied according to circumstances. Import licences are being issued for goods in transit on or before 30th September 1975 and in respect of which irrevocable letters of credit were opened before 8th August 1975. Representations have been made on other goods covered by letters of credit and I have yet to reach a final decision
Woolen textile fabrics* Woven and knitted woollen garments† Thousand Thousand square metres £000 cif pounds (weight) £000 cif Eastern Europe (including Soviet Union) … 467 352 1,600 4,329 Republic of Korea … 85 162 68 218 North Korea … — — — — Taiwan … — — 13 22 *Covers SITC (R) headings 653.21, 653.22 and parts of 653.7. † Covers selected headings from SITC (R) 841.11, 841.12 841.42 and 841.44 that are identifiable as being made from wool.