HC Deb 27 April 1982 vol 22 cc223-4W
Mr. Cryer

asked the Minister for Trade what position has been reached in the negotiations on restrictions of imports in the case of preferential suppliers of textile imports as part of the multi-fibre arrangement negotiations; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Peter Rees

At its meeting in Luxembourg yesterday, the Council of Ministers noted the conclusion by the Commission of new voluntary restraint arrangements with Egypt, for cotton yarn, and Spain; and instructed the Commission to continue negotiations with Cyprus, Malta, Morocco, Portugal and Tunisia. The Council decide that the Moroccan, Portuguese and Tunisian authorities should be informed of the import levels that will be applied by the Community in the absence of voluntary arrangements; and that import licensing should be introduced for certain textile and clothing products from Morocco and Tunisia. The Council also considered a proposal from the Commission for a voluntary restraint arrangement covering cotton yarn from Turkey and remitted this to officials for further consideration.

Mr. Cryer

asked the Minister for Trade what alternative arrangements are being examined if the current multi-fibre arrangement negotiations fail; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Peter Rees

Formal negotiations on new bilateral agreements under the multi-fibre arrangement will not begin in Brussels until mid-May. It would be premature at this stage to anticipate the failure of these negotiations.

Mr. Cryer

asked the Minister for Trade what safeguards are being considered to prevent outward processing arrangements by other EEC countries from undermining the inclusion of outward processing in total quotas for the United Kingdom under the multi-fibre arrangement negotiations; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Peter Rees

Imports into the Community under outward processing arrangements will be subject to that part of the global ceilings set aside for outward processing. Indirect imports of outward processed goods into the United Kingdom via other member States will remain subject to the provisions of article 115 if such imports threaten to undermine quotas applying to direct imports.