HC Deb 19 December 1980 vol 996 cc351-2W
Mr. Cryer

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will make a statement on the position of the EEC on outward processing: what countries it is proposed should be used for outward processing; and what job losses in the textile industry are envisaged will be lost if outward processing is accepted.

Mr. Parkinson

Consideration is being given within the Community to the harmonisation of member States' arrangements for the administration of special quotas for outward processed goods from certain Mediterranean countries. The United Kingdom has no such special quotas, nor would we be required to open any under the proposed regulation. We accordingly foresee no direct impact upon employment in the United Kingdom textile industry.