HC Deb 06 December 1971 vol 827 cc919-20
16. Mr. H. Boardman

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many textile mills were operating in Leigh, Atherton and Tyldesley in 1961 compared with the number in operation in November, 1971; and what were the number of operatives at those dates.

Sir J. Eden

At the beginning of 1961 there were 20 mills in the Leigh district employing 8,269 operatives. At the end of September, 1971, there were 12 mills. The latest available employment figures for June, 1971, show 3,917 operatives at work in textile mills in the Leigh district.

Mr. Boardman

Does the Minister agree that those figures, coupled with the figures associated with pit closures, present a serious threat to the future of this area? Will he now give serious consideration to the textile industry's plea that a low level of quotas should run alongside the proposed tariffs?

Sir J. Eden

I recognise absolutely that the present level of unemployment is unacceptably high. That is why special measures have been taken to stimulate output, investment and employment throughout the country. Leigh, as the hon. Gentleman will recognise, is in a good position to benefit from these measures. On the second part of his supplementary question, I hope that the House will shortly have an opportunity to discuss the matter.

Sir R. Cary

Is my hon. Friend aware that on the fringes of the Manchester area the closing of mills at the places named in the Question and at important townships like Bolton is most serious? Therefore, the area will welcome the statement just made by his right hon. Friend about continuing the marking-up clause on goods imported into this country.

Sir J. Eden

I recognise the force of what my hon. Friend has said. However, he will also know that it had been anticipated that there would be a period during which some of the mills in the textile industry would progressively close down, strengthening the competitive position of the industry as a whole.

Mr. Benn

Are we to take it from the Minister's answers to this and an earlier Question that the Government have no further measures in mind to deal with unemployment? Is he resting solely on his expectation that existing measures will be sufficient?

Sir J. Eden

We must give the existing measures a chance to work through, as there is evidence that they are doing.