HC Deb 14 June 1967 vol 748 cc528-30
2. Mr. Ronald Atkins

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will take measures to ensure that the British cotton industry will at least maintain its present productive capacity so that it will be able to take advantage of the European Economic Community market, which is highly protected from cheap-labour cottons.

Mr. Jay

The increase in productivity and the improvement in the structure and equipment of the cotton and man-made fibre sector of the textile industry should lead to an increase in its potential output and enable it to take full advantage of export opportunities.

Mr. Atkins

If my right hon. Friend seeks to imply that the cotton industry is less efficient than similar industries in the United States, Canada and Europe, which implication I would not accept, does he assume that he should withdraw protection against more efficient industries? Does he assert for instance, that the right treatment for a patient ailing from double pneumonia is a cold bath?

Mr. Jay

I think that the evidence shows that our textile industry is more efficient than some overseas, but it is less efficient than others. What we should all wish to do now is to press on, as we are doing in consultation with the Textile Council, with all possible measures to increase efficiency and productivity.

Mr. Frank Allaun

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the dissatisfaction amongst Lancashire Labour M.P.s with his failure to control the stream of low-wage imports and of their view that, if he has an obligation and commitments to E.F.T.A., he also has obligations and commitments to Lancashire?

Mr. Jay

I am also dissatisfied with the inability of some of my hon. Friends to understand that last year imports were much lower than they were in previous years.

12. Mr. Crouch

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of Great Britain's possible entry into the Common Market, he will make a statement of the progress made in the reorganisation of the structure of the textile industry.

Mr. Jay

The competitive position of the cotton and man-made fibre sector of the textile industry has been greatly strengthened over the last four years in a number of ways—by substantial investment in modern machinery, by an increased readiness to adopt shift working where this is economic, and by a number of vertical and horizontal mergers. This reorganisation, which is still progressing, and which should be further encouraged by the Productivity Study which the Textile Council is undertaking, should enable the British industry to meet competition at home and abroad.

Mr. Crouch

I am obliged to the right hon. Gentleman for giving me such a full answer, but he will have heard in recent days of a statement by the wool side of the textile industry of its confidence regarding possible entry into the Common Market. Has he had a similar expression of confidence from the other side of the Pennines?

Mr. Jay

I could not say without notice, but I think that those on the west of the Pennines are as well informed as those on the other side.