§ Mr. Curryasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the adoption of a European Community regulation on the textile quota regime for Taiwan.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkThe Council of Ministers adopted on 21 May a regulation amending textile import quotas for Taiwan. Quota levels for Taiwan had previously been reduced by 20 per cent. pending proof that Taiwan was not discriminating against the Community in its treatment of certain imports. Taiwan subsequently provided satisfactory evidence in this respect and the regulation reinstated the quota levels to 100 per cent. Withholding the United Kingdom's formal agreement would have given rise to uncertainty for the United Kingdom industry. I therefore judged that it was in the United Kingdom's interest not to delay adoption of the regulation until the House had completed its consideration of the Commission's proposal. I regret that the normal procedures were not followed on this occasion, but I hope the House will understand the special reasons why the Government agreed to the adoption of the regulation in these circumstances.