HC Deb 26 January 1976 vol 904 cc60-2W
Mr. Michael McGuire

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will list the countries against which the United Kingdom has imposed import controls, giving, in each case, the reasons for so doing.

Mr. Deakins

We have controls on some imports from every country in the world. The reasons for these controls vary from case to case, but they include protection for domestic industries, conservation, public safety and political considerations. Details of the goods and countries affected are shown in the Open General Import Licence dated 5th July 1973 and its amendments. Changes in the controls are announced in Notices to Importers published in "Trade and Industry ".

Mr. Michael McGuire

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will give details of any voluntarily agreed import controls which at present exist between the United Kingdom and any other country.

Mr. Deakins

Apart from the auto-limitation arrangements relating to imports of textiles negotiated under the GATT Multifibre Arrangement, the only agreed voluntary restraints relate to imports of men's leather footwear, excluding sandals, from Czechoslovakia, Poland and Romania. These countries voluntarily agreed to limit in 1975 their exports of these goods to the United Kingdom and we are inviting them to continue this restraint throughout 1976 and to extend its coverage to include similar footwear for women and children. We are also

Imports £ million 1973 Imports as percentage of Home Market Imports £ million 12 months ending September 1975 Imports as percentage of Home Market 12 months ending November 1975 Imports £ million
Hong Kong … … … 41.0 10 53.5 10 57.2
Republic of Korea … … 3.8 1 11.8 2 13.2
Taiwan … … … … 16.3 4 18.6 4 20.6

Note: The import figures cover knitted or crocheted clothing and accessories classified under SITC(R) 841.41 to 44 and exclude knitted fabrics. Estimates of the home market after September 1975 are not yet available.

Mr. Ashton

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what is the agreed quota of imported knitted jerseys from Hong Kong, and knitted shirts from Taiwan: and what were the figures for the latest 12 months.

Mr. Deakins

Knitted jerseys from Hong Kong are imported under a quota covering pullovers, slip-overs, twin-sets, cardigans, bed jackets and jumpers. The agreed quota was 17,585,000 pieces in 1975. During the 12 months ended 30th November 1975 imports amounted to 21,129,000 pieces. As a result of the further negotiations between the European Commission and Hong Kong the quota of 17,673,000 pieces for 1976 has been reduced to 15,915,000 to take account of over-shipments in 1975. The 1975 quota for knitted shirts, including sports shirts, from Taiwan was 2,378,000 pieces. In the 12 months ended 30th November 1975 imports of knitted shirts from Taiwan amounted to 3,584,752 pieces. The 1976 quota of 2,484,000 pieces has been combined with the 1975 quota so as to allow excess shipments in 1975 to be set against it.

inviting them as well as the German Democratic Republic and Hungary to restrain their exports to us of men's woollen suits.