HC Deb 15 June 1981 vol 6 cc245-6W
Mr. Jim Marshall

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if, following his reply to the hon. Member for Bradford, North (Mr. Ford) on 16 March 1981, and in the light of the revised European Commission proposal on outward processing (COM (81)61 final), he has given any further consideration to the introduction of special administrative arrangements to monitor and control the outward processing trade; and, if he has, if he will make a statement on the arrangements to be instituted.

Mrs. Sally Oppenheim

Since we do not operate a special quota for outward processed goods, it is not possible to assemble comprehensive statistics for this trade.

Mr. Richard Wainwright

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he approves of the proposals in the European Economic Community document of 17 March 1981 on outward processing (COM21/61 FINAL); and whether he will bear them in mind in relation to a new multi-fibre arrangement.

Mrs. Sally Oppenheim

Since the United Kingdom has no special quotas for outward processed goods, the proposed regulation will have no direct effect on the United Kingdom textile and clothing industries. Should any allocations be reserved for outward processed goods under the renewed multi-fibre arrangement, the United Kingdom would wish to see these kept within the quotas agreed for low-cost imports as a whole.