§ Mr. Maddenasked the Secretary of State for Trade what representations have been made by the Government to the Governments of Brazil, Uruguay and the Argentine about their growing exports of worsted and woollen cloth to the United Kingdom, and their substantial 557W duties against British exports of worsted and woollen cloth and woollen yarn; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MeacherThese countries are all aware of the provisions of their agreements with the EEC and no such representations have been made. The question of tariffs is being considered separately as part of the multilateral trade negotiations, and it is our aim to secure reductions in these countries' tariffs on textiles.
§ Mr. Maddenasked the Secretary of State for Trade what powers exist under the Multi-Fibre Arrangement to reduce imports of worsted and woollen cloth, especially from Brazil, Uruguay and the Argentine; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MeacherImports of woven woollen fabrics from Hungary and the Republic of Korea are subject to quota. Im
Tariff Heading Country Yarn of carded wool, not put up for retail sale (53.06) Per cent Yarn of combed wool, not put up for retail sale (53.07) Per cent Yarn of wool, hair or horse hair put up for retail sale (53.10) Per cent Woven fabrics of wool or fine hair (53.11) Per cent. Argentina … … 40–45 40–45 50 65 Bolivia … … 10–15 10–15 10 20 Brazil* … … 85 85 155 205 Chile† … … 15 15 15 22 Columbia … … 55 55 55 75 Ecuador … … 40 40 50 90 Paraguay‡ … … 15 15 15 12 Peru§ … … 52 52 52 92 Uruguay║ … … 25 25 75 75 Venezuela … … 50 100 80–100 100 * The issue of import licences for these goods has been suspended until 31st December 1978. † Duty rates applicable at 1st February 1978. All import duties to be reduced to 10 per cent. by June 1979. ‡ Some goods within these headings may not be imported. § None of these goods may be imported. ≑ There is a surcharge of 90–110 per cent. applied to goods within these headings. The Multi-Fibre Arrangement does not cover tariffs. These are being considered separately as part of the current round of the GATT multilateral trade negotiations.
§ Mr. Maddenasked the Secretary of State for Trade what representations he has received about increasing exports of worsted and woollen cloth, and woollen yarn, from South America to the United Kingdom, especially Brazil, Uruguay and the Argentine; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MeacherThe industry has expressed its concern about the level of imports of woollen and worsted fabrics
558Wports from other countries which have bilateral agreements with the EEC could be brought under restraint if imports into the EEC or a member State in 1978 reach specified levels. In the case of Brazil the level in question is 5 per cent. of 1977 imports into the EEC from third countries and in the case of Uruguay and Argentina the levels is 4 per cent.
§ Mr. Maddenasked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will list the import duties on worsted, woollen cloth and woollen yarn charged by South American countries, especially Brazil, Uruguay and the Argentine; if these duties were the subject of negotiations prior to the Multi-Fibre Arrangement settlement; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MeacherThe import duties charged on the goods in question are as follows:
from Argentina, and these imports are being closely monitored. We are also considering with the industry whether there is a case for asking the Commission to take countervailing or anti-dumping action against Argentina.