TNAG-0303-FCO40-339-Effects-of-tariffs-on-imports-of-cotton-textiles-to-UK-from--1971 — Page 7

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IS ANY ACTION BEING TAKEN ON NON-COTTON TEXTILE

IMPORTS?

No. The main rise in imports on non-cotton

textiles this year is not from low-cost countrios

but the Government will continue to keep a close

watch on developments.

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WON'T THIS KEEP INEFFICIENT AFKAILE FIRMS IN

BUSINESS?

The quota levels will continue to allow larso

onough imports to maintain pressure on the

industry to modernise itself. The Government,

continues to support the Textile Council's

recommendations in this regard.

I recognise that

the decision comes

as a disappointment to the Commonwealth countries concerns.

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L

IS THIS NOT A BREACH OF OUR ASSURANCES TO THE COMMONWEALTH HOND WE WOULD NOT MAINRAIN THE DOUBLE PROTECTION OF QUOTAS AND TARIFFS?

Our right to re-introduce sono quotas after

putting the tariff on Commonwealth cotton textiles

was reserved when the decision was announced in

1969. The prosent co-incidence of several

unfavourable circumstances could not bd foresco.

Lo I have said, I do not believe that traditional

suppliers would gain if our market next year worè

seriously disrupted.

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