HC Deb 12 March 1986 vol 93 cc490-1W
34. Mr. Kirkwood

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he has received representations from the Scottish Knitwear Council on Her Majesty's Government's position on the renewal of the multi-fibre arrangement.

Mr. Alan Clark

Yes, I have received the views of the Scottish Knitwear Council through the British Textile Confederation with which, along with other interested organisations, the Department has kept in regular touch and whom I met last week. Taking full account of the advice received and of the views expressed in debate in this House, I was able to play a full part in the Foreign Affairs Council debates on the MFA on 17–18 February and 10–11 March which agreed a mandate on the basis of which the European Commission will negotiate the renewal of the MFA in the GATT textiles committee.

The mandate should enable the Commission to negotiate terms for the renewal of the arrangement and for bilateral agreements with individual suppliers, which will enable effective protection to Britain's textile and clothing industries to continue to be provided while giving some element of more liberal treatment for the poorer countries and those with open markets. The mandate also provides for some limited liberalisation in respect of children's clothes. The Community has agreed that it will be ready to deal, during the next round of multilateral negotiations, with the question of the return of textiles trade to normal GATT rules over the longer term.

Mr. Nicholas Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what information he collects, in the context of the multi-fibre arrangement, concerning the comparative average annual incomes for industrial workers in (a) Brazil, (b) Turkey, (c) India, (d) Pakistan, (e) Korea, (f) Hong Kong, (g) Taiwan and(h) the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Alan Clark

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

52. Mr. Spencer

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent representations he has received on an extension of the multi-fibre arrangement.

Mr. Alan Clark

I continue to receive a large number of representations concerning the renewal of the multi-fibre arrangement. I met representatives of the industries, the trade unions, consumers and retailers last week to discuss their views.