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Mr. Whitehead
The attached notes on the "wide policy issues" involved in our wrangle over the Swedish textile negotiations have been hastily prepared to give Mr. Jordan some idea of the grounds on which his proposed negotiating instructions have been questioned.
2. You will be aware that there is at the back of the Board of Trade's attitude a further consideration which I have of course not mentioned in the notes. These issues have arisen at a time when H.M.G. is reconsidering policy towards the U.K. cotton industry in the light of the recommendations of the Textile Council report. The principal recommendation is that existing quota restrictions should be dismantled in favour of a tariff on Commonwealth imports of cotton textiles. The submission put up by Industries Division in the Board of Trade states that increasing restraints endanger present policy objectives: "What we are seeking is a consistent policy towards our textile industry, with protection based on the tariff (which is internationally agreed to be the proper form) rather than on quotas, and with reliance on the safe- guards in the G.A.T.T." (Mr. Carey's submission of 9 June).
(w. S. Carter)
12 June 1969
Copy (with enclosure) to Sir Arthur Snelling.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.