§ Mr. CryerTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will introduce a scheme under the Industry Act 1972, as amended, to provide grant aid for the textile dyeing industry to invest in machinery which reduces water consumption; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AtkinsNo. Member states are bound by restrictions on sectoral aid for the textile and clothing industry. However, firms in assisted areas may apply for regional selective assistance under the Industry Act towards investment projects which meet the established criteria. Firms in the industry may also be eligible for assistance under the enterprise initiative.
§ Mr. CryerTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what representations he has received on the Government's proposal to review the Wool Textile Industry (Export Promotion) Levy; what views have been expressed by the Confederation of British Wool Textiles:, what is his response; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AtkinsI have received a number of representations from interested parties, including hon. Members, trade 595W associations and trade unions. The Confederation of British Wool Textiles stated that it wished the statutory levy to be retained. All views expressed will be taken fully into account before a decision is taken.
§ Mr. CryerTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on quota arrangements for textiles in the European Economic Community by 1992; and what consideration has been given as to whether imports will be controlled on a Communitywide basis or quotas for imports allocated to each member state.
§ Mr. MaudeIt is the Commission's view that individual member states quotas or shares of any ECwide quotas, backed up by derogations from the normal free-circulation rules authorised by the Commission under article 115 of the treaty of Rome, would be inconsistent with the completion of the single market in 1992. How far this might extend to the treatment of textiles and clothing is unclear although the curent EC bilateral textile agreements under the multi-fibre arrangement already allow for automatic transfers between member states' share of EC wide quotas. There has, however, been no detailed Community discussion of future arrangements for EC quotas on textiles and clothing. The current extension of the MFA lapses in 1991 and the future of the arrangement itself is under discussion within the GATT round of multilateral trade negotiations which themselves are due for completion in September 1990.