HC Deb 01 February 1982 vol 17 cc11-2W
Mr. Farr

asked the Secretary of State for Trade, if it is his intention that the forthcoming multi-fibre arrangement bilateral trade negotiations with low-cost suppliers of textiles and clothing should restrict the growth of imports from them to an annual figure of 1 per cent., in line with the estimated growth in market demand.

Mr. Woolmer

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he has now received details of the global import ceilings proposed by the European Economic Community Commission for the forthcoming multi-fibre arrangement bilateral trade negotiations; and if these meet his objective of restraining the future growth of imports from the countries concerned to an increase of 1 per cent. per year in line with the estimated increase in market demand.

Mr. Peter Rees

The global ceilings proposed by the Commission for imports of the eight most sensitive textile and clothing products from all low-cost sources (including both MFA and preferential suppliers), other than imports under outward processing arrangements, provide for an average rate of increase between 1983 and 1986 for the United Kingdom of approximately 1 per cent. per annum. The annual growth rates for the less sensitive products outside Group I will in general be higher.

Mr. Farr

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what was the total of textile and clothing imports from all low-cost sources into the United Kingdom in 1980 expressed in tons; and if he will estimate the effect by 1986 if the level of 1980 imports were increased by 1 per cent. each year.

Mr. Peter Rees

I will reply to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

Mr. Farr

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what parts of the statement made by the European Economic Community textile negotiator to the general agreement on tariffs and trade textile committee on 16 July 1981 urged the relating of low-cost textile and clothing imports to the estimated increase in market demand.

Mr. Peter Rees

Speaking of the general level of per capita imports of textiles and clothing into the Community, the Commission's chief negotiator said, in this statement to the GATT Textiles Committee on 14 July 1981In view of the fact that the proportion accounted for by products imported from the low-cost countries is particularly high and that the Community's market for textile products has its limits, the future regime of textile imports into the Community cannot be envisaged without account being taken of the trend of consumption of those products.

Mr. Woolmer

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what estimate he has made of the tonnage difference between textile and clothing imports into the United Kingdom from all low-cost sources covered by multi-fibre arrangement bilateral trade agreements in 1980, and the quotas applying in 1982.

Mr. Peter Rees

I will reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

Mr. Woolmer

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he has considered the European Economic Community Commission's proposal that 1983 import ceilings and quotas for textiles and clothing in the forthcoming multi-fibre arrangement bilateral trade negotiations should be based on the quotas established for 1982 and not on recent actual levels of trade; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Peter Rees

I refer the hon. Member to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Macclesfield (Mr. Winterton) on 25 January [Vol. 16, c.266].