Multi-fibre Arrangement

Part of Oral Answers to Questions – in the House of Commons at 4:46 pm on 14 December 1982.

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Photo of Mr Tom McNally Mr Tom McNally , Stockport South 4:46, 14 December 1982

May I ruin the Minister's afternoon completely by joining the hon. Member for Batley and Morley (Mr. Woolmer) and the hon. Member for Macclesfield (Mr. Winterton) in offering congratulations on the completion of complex and difficult negotiations? Does the hon. and learned Gentleman agree, given our Indonesian experience, that we have benefited from negotiating these arrangements as a Community? Will he also say that it is part of his policy—this is of great importance to the industry—now to move to MFA 4, which will provide a long-term, ordered and structured market both for the developing countries and for the British industry?

I wish also to take up the question posed by the hon. Member for Tiverton (Mr. Maxwell-Hyslop). Will the Minister take on board the threat to the British textile industry posed by developed textile manufacturers such as the United States who do not always play fair?