§ Mr. RooneyTo ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what discussions took place at the Council of Ministers meeting on 25 October regarding the multi-fibre arrangement; [2987]
(2) what discussions he has had with the World Trade Organisation regarding the operation of the multi-fibre arrangement; [2986]
(3) what representations he has recently received regarding the operation of the multi-fibre arrangement. [2988]
§ Mr. LangMy Department has been consulting the British textile and clothing industry, retailers, importers and consumers about the basis on which the European Union should implement stage 2 of the phase-out of the general agreement on tariffs and trade multi-fibre arrangement on 1 January 1998. The General Affairs Council has not yet considered the matter but is likely to take a decision on 25 November. Decisions on this sort by textile importing countries, including the EU, are a matter for them and are not up for negotiation at the ministerial meeting of the World Trade Organisation to be held in Singapore from 9 to 13 December.