HC Deb 26 April 1967 vol 745 cc1593-4
35. Mr. Bruce-Gardyne

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is his intention to proceed with a review of the protection of the Scottish jute industry before the end of the current year.

Mr. Jay

I shall be considering this later in the year in the light of trading conditions since the removal of the temporary import charge, and of the situation in Dundee.

Mr. Bruce-Gardyne

Can the right hon. Gentleman confirm that the decision to delay the review was caused by the rising level of unemployment in Dundee and area, thanks to Government policies? Can he tell us precisely when he expects the review to be completed? When he makes it, will he bear in mind that many of the burghs of Angus and Perthshire are more dependent on the jute industry than Dundee itself?

Mr. Jay

No. We took great care to hold the review at the right time because we are more keen to avoid unemployment in Dundee than the previous Government.