XN000022-1976-06-29 — Page 4

TUESDAY, JUNE 29, 1976

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REVIEW OF TEXTILE QUOTA SYSTEM COMPLETED

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A REPORT ON A REVIEW OF THE TEXTILE QUOTA SYSTEM HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND HANDED TO THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, MR. BILL DORWARD.

ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY A SPOKESMAN FOR THE D C AND I SAID THE REVIEW HAD BEEN CONDUCTED BY A DEPARTMENTAL COMMITTEE OF EXPERIENCED OFFICERS.

THE INITIAL PRESSURE FOR THE REVIEW HAD COME FROM THE TEXTILES ADVISORY BOARD. LEADING TRADE AND INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATIONS WERE CONSULTED AND THEIR VIEWS PROVIDED MUCH OF THE BASIS FOR THE COMMITTEE'S REVIEW. THE WORK HAD TAKEN SEVERAL MONTHS.

ALTHOUGH IT HAD BEEN THE INTENTION TO PUT THE REVIEW TO THE TEXTILES ADVISORY BOARD IN MAY, ITS CONCLUSION HAD BEEN DELAYED BY THE CONSIDERABLE PRESSURE OF OTHER COMMITMENTS ON THE STAFF CONCERNED.

MR. DORWARD SAID HE WAS PERSONALLY STUDYING THE CONTENTS AND WOULD BE DISCUSSING THEM WITH HIS COLLEAGUES PREPARATORY TO CONSULTING THE TEXTILES ADVISORY BOARD IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE.

+ ENVISAGE THIS CONSULTATION PROCESS TAKING SEVERAL WEEKS,+ MR. DORWARD SAID, +THIS IS A COMPLEX AND IMPORTANT SUBJECT AND NOT ONE WHICH CAN BE DEALT WITH LIGHTLY OR SUPERFICIALLY+.

NO INDICATION OF THE CONTENTS OR RECOMMENDATIONS WAS GIVEN NOR, ACCORDING TO THE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN, WOULD ANY SUCH DETAILS BE RELEASED UNTIL THE REPORT TO THE DIRECTOR HAD BEEN THOROUGHLY DIGESTED AND CONSIDERED BY HIM AND HIS OFFICIAL AND UNOFFICIAL ADVISERS.

+THIS SYSTEM HAS ALREADY BEEN THE SUBJECT OF QUITE A LOT OF PUBLIC COMMENTARY+ MR. DORWARD SAID. +I APPRECIATE THE CONSIDERABLE INTEREST WHICH EXISTS AND I HOPE THAT THOSE CONCERNED WILL NOW BEAR WITH US FOR A LITTLE LONGER. I DO NOT THINK IT WOULD BE CONSTRUCTIVE FOR ME TO MAKE ANY PRELIMINARY COMMENTS AT THIS STAGE.+

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