Written question asked by Max Madden (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 20 November 1996. It was answered by Lord Lang of Monkton (Conservative) on Wednesday, 20 November 1996 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: Pursuant to his Answer to the honourable Member for Bradford North, of 7th November, Official Report, column 704W, what action has been taken by Her Majesty's Government or is planned to ensure the exclusion of imports of woven wool fabrics from stage two of the European Union's phasing out of the Multi-fibre Arrangement; if the matter is subject to qualified majority voting; when final decisions will be taken. - (Holding answer 19 November 1996).

Answer: Mr. Madden: To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Bradford North, of 7 November, Official Report, column 704, what action has been taken by Her Majesty's Government or is planned to ensure the exclusion of imports of woven wool fabrics from stage two of the European Union's phasing out of the multi-fibre arrangement; if the matter is subject to qualified majority voting; when final decisions will be taken; and if he will make a further statement. [5043] Mr. Lang: [holding answer 19 November 1996]: A qualified majority of EU member states, including the United Kingdom, support a compromise proposal from the Irish Presidency for stage 2 of the phasing out of the multi-fibre arrangement, which would exclude woven wool fabrics from liberalisation.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 5043; 285 c575W;285 c577W
Session: 1996-97
Subjects: Industry EU action Voting methods Trade agreements Wool Textiles Qualified majority voting