HC Deb 16 April 1969 vol 781 cc1134-5
14. Mr. Arthur Davidson

asked the Minister of Technology what steps he is taking to assist the application of research to the development of more advanced textile machinery.

Dr. Bray

The Department supports machinery orientated research at the textiles research associations. It keeps in touch with the N.R.D.C. on development assistance to the textile machinery industry. The National Engineering Laboratory is assisting some textile machinery projects in the manufacturing firms. And pre-production order support is given.

Mr. Davidson

In view of the importance of the textile machinery industry to Lancashire, and, indeed, to our export industry in general, is my hon. Friend satisfied that the industry is sufficiently aware of these facilities? Is he, indeed, satisfied that these facilities are sufficient in themselves?

Dr. Bray

It is important that textile machinery firms should be aware of these facilities. I have myself met the manufacturers' association and I have visited individual firms, and we are in touch with a very wide range of firms. We are also extending the range of activities in this important industry.

Mr. Robert Howarth

Is my hon. Friend aware that as one goes round the latest and largest weaving factories which one visits one invariably finds foreign looms rather than British ones, and is this not a sad commentary on the advanced nature of Continental looms as compared with our own?

Dr. Bray

We are giving specific support to a British loom manufacturer I visited. It is true that major, advanced, expensive looms are imported from overseas in a big way, but we hope to penetrate a new market with a loom we are developing.

Sir A. V. Harvey

Would the hon. Gentleman not agree, however, that in the case of Scragg's of Macclesfield we are leading the world in a type of machinery and that our manufacturers are contributing enormously to the export business?

Dr. Bray

There are, indeed, many successful and technologically advanced British textile machinery manufacturers whose performance we are anxious to support and improve still further.