TNAG-0302-FCO40-338-Effects-of-tariffs-on-imports-of-cotton-textiles-to-UK-from--1971 — Page 17

year as suppliers and users tried to adapt both to the

ending or controls and to the prospect of early imposition

of new ones.

5. Secondly, the restraints on exports of non-cotton textiles

to the United States which several Asian countries have felt

it necessary to accept, are likely to increase the pressure

of textile imports generally on the UK market.

6. Thirdly, the traditional textile areas in Lancashire are facing

a difficult employment problem. Mill closures and redundancies

have recently taken place at an accelerated pace, and although

HMG still accept that the UK cotton textile industry must

continue to shrink in size, the present rate of shrinkage is

taking place at a time when there are not enough other jobs

immediately available for those made redundant.

7. At a time when our market is peculiarly vulnerable for the

reasons just cubscribed, HMG have come to the conclusion that

the policy previously announced of reintroducing quantitative

restrictions selectively only if and when imports of particular

products cause disruption, is unlikely to give the necessary

stability of market and employment conditions. In particular,

they do not feel confident that in a situation subject to very

rapid change, could take action against disruption quickly

enough on a product-by-product basis. In fact wo-clearly-have

evidence or O reliers in the pipeline, in anticipation

of a quota-free market next year, at a level considerably

higher thanthis yearbs already high imports! We have, there-

fore, decided to retain in 1972 the present system of quantitative

restrictions in addition to the new tariff. The British

معلم

Matomily Laverly

Government have taken this decision only after the most anxious

consideration. They believe that the stability it will bring

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