§ Mr. Nicholas Wintertonasked the Secretary of State for Trade how many staff from his Department are engaged on import surveillance duties in the EEC; and whether he is satisfied that this number is adequate to undertake the task effectively.
§ Mr. Meacher53 import licensing branch staff are employed in operating surveillance import licensing arrangements under both national and EEC schemes; of these, 38 are engaged in the surveillance licensing of textiles. I have no reason to believe that the resources devoted to these tasks are not adequate. The figures do not take account of staff in the Department of Industry and Customs and Excise, who contribute to the operation of the surveillance licensing arrangements and the Commission's monitoring of the various bilateral MFA agreements.