Multi-fibre Arrangement

HC Deb 25 January 1982 vol 16 cc266-7W

Mr. Nicholas Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he intends to press for the adoption of 1980 actual imports as the basis for quota levels in 1983 in the European Economic Community's approach to bilateral negotiations with exporting countries under the new general agreement of tariffs and trade multi-fibre arrangement.

Mr. Peter Rees

The Government have made it clear on a number of occasions that they would have preferred future 1983 quotas to be based on actual trade in 1980. There was, however, no support for this line when the issue was considered by the Council of Ministers in November 1981. It would be unrealistic to attempt to reopen the question now.

Mr. Nicholas Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he is satisfied that the new general agreement on tariffs and trade multi-fibre arrangements agreed on 22 December 1981 will protect British interests in the textile and clothing market; and what advantages he expects it to have for the British textile and clothing industry.

Mr. Peter Rees

As my right hon. Friend told the House on 22 December, the Government believe that the protocol prolonging the MFA, which was adopted in Geneva earlier that day, provides fair safeguards for the United Kingdom's essential interests and will enable the Commission to negotiate improved bilateral agreements with low-cost suppliers in the course of this year.

Mr. Nicholas Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what representations he has received from the British textile and clothing industry concerning the general agreement on tariffs and trade multi-fibre arrangement protocol agreed by the Textiles Committee in Geneva on 22 December 1981.

Mr. Peter Rees

My right hon. Friend and I have received a number of written and oral representations from the textiles and clothing industries on the protocol adopted in Geneva on 22 December. I had a meeting with representatives of the industries on 21 January, and shall be taking account of the views expressed by them when the Council of Ministers discusses the protocol on 26 January.