§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will seek to arrange for the EEC Commission to renegotiate agreements with China concerning textile imports from China within the EEC; what representations he has received about increased Chinese textile quotas to the United Kingdom; what action he is taking to reduce Chinese textile imports into the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Redwood[holding answer 24 July 1989]: No. The bilateral textiles agreement negotiated between the European Community and China under the multi-fibre arrangement at the end of the last year lasts for four years. I understand the concern that has been expressed in a number of representations to me and to my Department about the increased levels of access for Chinese textile and clothing products under this agreement. However we were satisfied that the new agreement was the best that the Commission could achieve.
We continue to watch developments closely and if unrestrained imports from China cause or threaten to 455W cause disruption to the United Kingdom market, Ministers would be willing to consider whether it would be in the United Kingdom interest to put a case to the EC Commission for restraint action under the provisions of this agreement.