§ Mr. Formanasked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will set out in tabular form the change in the United Kingdom's share of total exports of goods of major industrial countries to non-oil exporting developing countries, both in value terms at constant prices and in percentage terms as a share of major industrial countries' exports of all goods, comparing 1970 and 1975 with the latest full year for which figures are available; and if he will break down the figure for total non-oil exporting developing countries as between American, Asian, African and other Middle East countries.
§ Mr. MeacherConstant price figures are not available. Following is the information on shares in respect of the value of exports:
tries—Council regulation (EEC) No. 616/ 78. The purpose of these regulations, both of which took effect from 1st May 1978, was to remedy the lack of precision of the previous rules, which offered possible loopholes, and to ensure that the intentions of the revised MFA arrangements were not evaded by manipulation of the country of origin of goods which were subject to control. The new origin rules apply not only to determine the origin of textiles and clothing imported into, or exported from, the Community —otherwise than under preferential arrangements where, in general, more stringent rules apply—but also to trade within the Community to determine whether goods traded between member 453W States are of EEC origin and thus free from restriction, or are of third country origin and thus susceptible in certain circumstances to restriction on transfer between member States under article 115 of the Treaty of Rome.
These regulations have been in operation for less than three months. We are watching their effects closely but so far there has been no indication that they are failing to achieve their basic purpose or are giving rise to particular difficulties in practice. I also refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 10th July 1978 to the Question put by the hon. Member for Nottingham, North (Mr. Whitlock).—[Vol. 953, c. 409–10.]
§ Mr. Nicholas Wintertonasked the Secretary of State for Trade what representations he has received from the textile and clothing industries about the enlargement of the EEC; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MeacherI have received no such representation, though I am aware that this is a matter of concern to the industry. The arrangements for accession of new countries will no doubt include transitional arrangements which could be relevant to imports of textiles and clothing from these countries.