TNAG-0302-FCO40-338-Effects-of-tariffs-on-imports-of-cotton-textiles-to-UK-from--1971 — Page 41

WHAT COULD BE DONE?

CONFIDENTIAL

This is

10. Short of drastic steps, in breach of our international

obligations, immediately to reduce imports (in no way justified

by the situation) any practicable action on the import front can

have no bearing on the immediate problem in Lancashire.

primarily the distress caused by unemployment; the closure of mills

as such remains a healthy sign that the industry is getting down

to its weight. Unemployment could be helped by measures either

to stimulate textile activity or to create new jobs.

}

CONCLUSION

11. The only quick way of helping Lancashire without an interna-

tional row or heavy penalties for our overseas trade generally might

be action on the domestic front. No practicable action on the

import front can reduce the present level of imports. Action to

contain imports would also raise real difficulties without neces-.

sarily meeting the real problems; though it might well have psycho- logical effects in Lancashire and possibly go some way to meeting what the BTEA are actually asking for.

Commodities Department

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE

8 November 1971.

6.

CONFIDENTIAL