§ Mr. Cyril Smithasked the Secretary of State for Trade why Pakistan was allowed to export to the United Kingdom cloth from July to December 1978 at the rate of 14,044 tonnes against a quota of 10,445 tonnes.
§ Mr. MeacherMy Department has issued import licences totalling 10,850 tonnes for imports of cotton cloth shipped from Pakistan between 1 January and 31 December 1978 against the 1978 category 2 quota, which was increased to 10,967 tonnes by use of the flexibility provisions of the EEC/Pakistan textile agreement. Importations during this period not 161W counting against the 1978 quota included goods for re-export, goods imported under free circulation arrangements and goods shipped from Pakistan towards the end of the previous year—against the 1977 quota. We do not have any figures for the period from July to December 1978 which would correspond to those quoted by the hon. Member.