Mr. Robert HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a further statement on his policy towards the renewal of the multi-fibre arrangement in the context of the textile industry.
§ Mr. RedwoodNegotiations concerning the MFA are being handled by the EC. The United Kingdom Government have set out in several debates the EC's preferred method of phasing out the multi-fibre arrangement over a transitional period and the need in parallel to strengthen GATT rules and disciplines. The negotiating group on textiles and clothing (in which the Commission speaks on behalf of the Community) is charged with reaching a draft framework agreement by the end of this month.