XN000022-1975-08-26 — Page 3

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TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 1975

DC AND I WORKS OVERTIME ON TEXTILE EXPORT LICENCES

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STAFF OF THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT ARE WORKING ROUND THE CLOCK TO PROCESS LICENCE APPLICATIONS FOR TEXTILE EXPORTS TO THE E.E.C.

THE DEPARTMENT WORKED THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEND AND HOLIDAY AND ISSUED ABOUT 2,000 LICENCES TO EXPORTERS AND MANUFACTURERS TEN TIMES MORE THAN THE NORMAL NUMBER FOR A THREE-DAY PERIOD.

APPLICATIONS KEEP POURING IN AND WORK IS EXPECTED TO BE EVEN HEAVIER TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) WHEN THE DEPARTMENT STARTS ACCEPTING NEW APPLICATIONS FOR THE SPECIAL SHIPMENT ARRANGEMENT ANNOUNCED ON MONDAY.

IN ORDER TO HELP EXPORTERS CLEAR A LARGE BACKLOG OF TEXTILES AWAITING SHIPMENT TO THE E.E.C., THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, MR. JIMMY MCGREGOR YESTERDAY ANNOUNCED SPECIAL MEASURES WHICH WILL GIVE SHORT TERM RELIEF - ESPECIALLY FOR SEASONAL GOODS TO REACH THEIR DESTINATION BY A CERTAIN DATE.

ADDITIONAL STAFF HAVE BEEN BROUGHT IN TO COPE WITH THE HEAVY

WORKLOAD.

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THESE OFFICERS, NUMBERING OVER 200, WILL BE WORKING ROUND THE CLOCK IN THREE SHIFTS.

THIS OVERTIME WORK STARTED SHORTLY AFTER THE TEXTILE AGREEMENT WITH THE E.E.C. WAS CONCLUDED ON JULY 18 AND HAD CONTINUALLY BEEN STEPPED UP SINCE THEN.

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