HC Deb 05 March 1979 vol 963 cc489-90W
Mr. Nicholas Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will carry out a study of the proposals relating to outward processing made by the director of the Textile Industry Support Campaign in a letter, a copy of which has been sent to him by the hon. Member for Macclesfield.

Mr. Meacher

I will reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

Mr. Nicholas Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what representations have been received by his Department from (a) the Textile Industry Support Campaign, (b) the British Textile Confederation, (c) the British Textile Employers' Association and (d) the British textile trade unions on the proposal that outward processed textiles should not count against import ceilings when they return to the original country; what reply he has sent; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Meacher

I will reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

Mr. Nicholas Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will make a statement on the Government's current policy on the free circulation of textiles in the EEC in view of the proposal that outward processed textiles should not count against import ceilings when they return to the original country.

Mr. Meacher

I will reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

Mr. Nicholas Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will make a statement on his Department's attitude to the application of article 115 of the Treaty of Rome with particular reference to free circulation of textiles in the EEC in view of the proposal that outward processed textiles should not count against import ceilings when they return to the original country.

Mr. Meacher

I will reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

Mr. Hoyle

asked the Secretary of State for Trade, in view of the publication by the EEC Commission of the document "Guidelines for the textile industry", if he will ensure that the multi-fibre arrangement is strengthened in order to give a further period of time for the industry to restructure itself; and what steps are being taken regarding the instance of a social clause in any bilateral agreement.

Mr. Meacher

I will reply to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

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