§ Mr. Cryerasked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will make a statement on outward processing in the Common Market: how this is affecting the United Kingdom textile industry; what representations he has received on the matter; and what action he proposes to take to stop any disruption and job loss in the United Kingdom textile and clothing industry.
§ Mr. MacGregorNumerous representations have been received from United Kingdom industry about the need to contain, within existing restraint levels, imports of textiles and clothing which have undergone outward processing in low-cost countries, because of the loss of production and jobs which would, in its view, arise if special additional quotas for this trade were established. Unlike some member States, the United Kingdom has no special quotas for such goods, which we count against normal restraint levels.
I am not aware that outward processing has caused any significant direct disruption or job loss in this country. However, it is not possible to say to what extent other member States' outward processing quotas may have displaced our products in their markets. The Community is considering harmonising member States' arrangements for the administration of special outward processing quotas for textiles and clothing where these exist. To the extent that any new arrangements will permit closer monitoring and control on a Community-wide basis, they should help safeguard the interests of United Kingdom textile and clothing manufacturers.
§ Mr. Cryerasked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will institute a working party to draw up a report to compare Government support for textile industries throughout the Common Market; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MacGregorNo. The monitoring of schemes of Government assistance for the textile industries throughout the Common Market is a continuous process, in which the main responsibility lies with the European Commission by virtue of article 93(1) of the EEC treaty.