6.
5. In its raper, the Commission has put forward a number of wideo-reaching proposals which will be connected with the
new textile policy. Particularly important will be the
ideas on a new industrial policy for textiles and for
reform of the Generalised Scheme of Preferences for 1979.
We look forward to detailed Commission proposals on these
subjects, which we will examine with great care. In the
same way, we will give careful study to the more detailed
sections of the Commission proposals not directly related
to the establishment of textile quotas, ie. those on surveillance, classification and rules of origin. In making
all the above reservations, the UK is firmly convinced
that any reasonable means of achieving the Community's
agreed objections must be given a try. The Commission's
logical and coherent approach looks a sensible way of
achieving the desired ends. It will only be at the end of
the negotiating period, which we accept should be firmly
set for 30 November, that the UK and the other Member States
can judge whether it has achieved the Community's objectives.
Subject to the resolution of the problems we have mentioned,
therefore, the UK will be prepared to give the Commission
the necessary authority to begin the bilateral negotiations.
7. The Commission have already given some publicity to
their approach. They have emphasised the fact that the
Community will attempt to give 6% growth over the totality
of their textile imports to all the supplying countries
concerned. We understand the desirability of such a
presentation to help in the bilateral negotiations but it
must be underlined that even a presentation is unfortunate
for our domestic textile industries.
it
It sounds too much
like a continuation of the existing IFA arrangements. The
real nature of the Commission's proposals therefore needs.
to be explained to Community industrial opinion.
This
/Council