HC Deb 23 July 1964 vol 699 cc667-8
11. Mr. Mapp

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development, if he will state separately for the years 1951 and 1963 the number of working operatives in the textile industry, the volume of production of cotton and man-made fibre cloth, the imports and exports of cotton and man-made fibre cloth, and the imports and exports of made-up cotton articles.

Mr. Heath

As the Answer includes a table of figures I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Mapp

Is the Secretary of State aware that despite the inherent and, to some extent, continuing weaknesses of the textile industry, these figures will doubtless reflect the intense havoc and personal distress in the industry during the 12 years of this Government? Will he now, in reply to the industry's protestations to him, consider a policy to enable the textile industry to be viable in the future; or have we to wait for some electoral strategy to retain Lancashire seats on behalf of the Government?

Mr. Heath

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman should look at the figures for which he has asked before drawing conclusions. There is a Question on the Order Paper later about my conversations with the Cotton Board last night which deals with this point.

Sir J. Barlow

Does my right hon. Friend realise that we are the only great industrial textile country which does not reasonably protect its own people? Does he realise, for example, that America allows only 5½ per cent. imports and Germany 7½ per cent., whereas about 35 per cent. of home consumption is allowed in this country?

Mr. Heath

I think that my hon. Friend realises that my object is to give a stable basis to the textile industry. At the same time, we must take full account of the interests of the Commonwealth and developing countries which are selling textiles to this country.

Following is the table:

1951 1963
Operatives in employment in the textile industry (thousands) (mid-year) 934 671
Operatives in employment in the cotton and man-made fibre industry (thousands) (average number at work during year) 333 165
Woven cotton and man-made fibre cloth:
U.K. production (million linear yards) 2,961 1,574
U.K. imports (million square yards) 475 700
U.K. exports (million square yards) 1,083 303

Comprehensive figures in volume terms for trade in cotton made-up goods are not available.