§ 17. Mr. Fryasked the Secretary of State for Employment what is his latest estimate of short-time working in the footwear industry.
§ Mr. John FraserThe number of operatives working on short-time during the week ending 14th September 1974 was 14,400, or 20.5 per cent. of all operatives. That does not include administrative, technical and clerical staff. I do not have any later information on numbers but recent reports have come in from a few regions of lower activity in some consumer-oriented sectors, including footwear.
§ Mr. FryIn view of those figures does the Minister realise the great problems being presented to the British footwear industry, especially by increasing imports from Eastern Europe? Will he and his colleagues take urgent steps to show that they do not regard the footwear industry as expendable, and that 1344 they are more concerned about employment in this country than in Poland and Czechoslovakia?
§ Mr. FraserI understand the hon. Gentleman's concern about his constituents' employment. The import of foreign footwear is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Industry.