2.
5. It is relevant to compare the current pattern and scale of UK imports of all cotton textile manufactures with those of the original members of the Community. This shows that UK imports from the countries at present subject to quantitative restriction by the UK are considerably higher on a per capita basis than those of the Six. The gap would further widen if UK cotton yarn quotas were removed.
6. Cotton spinning is part of an integrated textile industry in which man made fibres figure largely. The industry is highly competitive by world standards. The balance of the industry would be jeopardised by the sudden removal of the remaining cotton yarn quotas at the end of 1973. The economic viability of whole companies would be endangered and the loss of production and jobs would extend far beyond cotton as a fibre.
7. What the UK Government is asked to negotiate with the Commission is the retention of existing cotton yarn quotas for the years 1974, 1975 and 1976. The industry believe that the use of part of the prescribed transitional period for the phasing in of cotton yarn liberalisation (Mediterranean Associates 1973, harmonisation with certain other Community preferential tariff and tariff quota arrangements 1974/75 and retention of the remaining cotton yarn quotas until the end of 1976) would be detrimental neither to the other members of the EEC nor to the developing countries.
8.
The industry's case is fully supported by an appendix of data and commentary on the following points:
d
Statistical analysis of UK imports by sources.
Examination of liberalisation measures already taken and scheduled.
Estimate of future cotton yarn imports.
Estimated effect on production and employment in the UK.
Comparative import statistics UK: The Six.
UK balance of trade in cotton yarn with the Community.
Artificial pricing policies (export subsidies etc.) practised by overseas suppliers.
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