Extract from Darley Information,
Bulletin
1.3.69
5
Extr. for fill
Textile Council's Report
NEW BRITISH PROPOSAL ON TEXTILES IMPORT TARIFF
Statement By Director Of Commerce And Industry
The Director of Commerce and Industry, Mr. T.D. Sorby, issued tho
following statement today (Tuesday) on the press reports of proposals by
the British Textile Council for the imposition of an import tariff of up
to 15 per cent on imports of cotton textiles into Britain from the Commonwealth :
"The Commerce and Industry Department has not yet rocoived a copy
of the Report by the Textile Council, but I expect our London Offico has
despatched a copy which is on route to us.
"All I know at this stago is that the British Textile Council has
proposed to the United Kingdom Government that imports of cotton textiles
from Commonwealth countrios, which now onter Britain free of duty, should
at some futuro dato be subject to an import duty of up to 15 por cont.
"The reports of this proposal also suggost that this now tariff is
intended ultimately to replace the quantitativo quota restrictions on Commonwealth.
exports of cotton textiles to the United Kingdom.
"The position of exports of Hong Kong cotton textiles to the United
Kingdom is currently governed by an agreement between the United Kingdom
and Hong Kong Governments which limits the quantities of cotton yarn, fabrics
and clothing we can export to Britain up to the end of 1970 when tho prosent
Agreement expires.
"Britain has a similar agroomont with India which also runs out at
the end of 1970. British imports of cotton textilos from certain other
Commonwealth countries are subject to limitation within a global quota.
"In 1968 Hong Kong's cotton textile exports including garments to
the United Kingdom wore worth $582 million as against our total exports of
/cotton