HC Deb 05 June 1980 vol 985 cc815-6W
Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) how many foreign manufacturers have voluntary quotas for the limitation of their goods to the United Kingdom; from which countries they came; what share of the market they represent; and what type and range of manufacture they cover;

(2) which foreign manufacturers entering voluntary import quota agreements for goods to the United Kingdom have failed to honour the agreements; and in which range of manufactures.

Mr. Parkinson

[pursuant to his reply,2 June 1980, c. 495]: Exporting of cutlery and footwear from South Korea, cars

from Japan and some consumer electronic products from Taiwan, Singapore, South Korea and Japan is subject to voluntary restraint or control in the manufacturing country, usually undertaken after discussions between representatives of the United Kingdom industry and their counterparts in the exporting countries. The Government are not directly involved in such discussions; these, and the operation of any undertakings given, are essentially matters for the industries concerned. There are, of course, a number of restraint arrangements agreed with certain Governments rather than manufacturers: notably with Eastern European countries, and with developing countries as regards textiles and steel.

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