asked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) what representations he has received from the British Textile Confederation; and if he will make a statement;(2) if he will seek to impose a 20 per cent. cut in imports of manufactured textile products from all sources.

In recent representations the British Textile Confederation has proposed that there should be import surveillance of certain man-made fibres; that import surveillance should be extended to cover clothing, made-ups and knitwear, and that there should be a 20 per cent. cut in textile imports. Surveillance arrangements were introduced on 3rd April covering not only all man-made fibres but yarns and fabrics manufactured from the main fibres. The confederation's request that surveillance should be further extended is still under consideration. As regards its proposal for a cut in imports, I would refer the hon. Member to the Prime Miinster's statement to the House on 23rd May.