§ Mr. Nobleasked the Secretary of State for Trade what assessment has been made by his Department of the effects on the United Kingdom cotton textile industry of entry into the EEC by Spain, Portugal and Greece: and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Les Huckfield:I have been asked to reply.
The accession of Spain, Portugal and Greece is bound to pose difficult problems for the United Kingdom cotton textile industry.
We expect that there will be arrangements similar to those made when the United Kingdom joined the EEC, which would allow us to continue to be able to apply for authorisation from the Commission to take protective measures throughout the transitional periods. But there would clearly be greater difficulty in obtaining authority to control imports from another member State than there would be in the case of action against a non-member of the Community.
§ Mr. Nicholas Wintertonasked the Secretary of State for Trade what evidence his Department has that substantial quantities of cheap imported yarn and fabric are being held in stock by merchants and importers for release when market conditions are most favourable: and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Les Huckfield:I have been asked to reply.
While the Department has heard claims that abnormally high stocks of low-cost imports of yarn and fabric are being held by merchants and importers, there is no evidence available from official sources to confirm this suggestion.