§ 9. Mr. Hoyleasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many textile contracts went overseas, and to which countries, in 1978; and what was their value.
§ Dr. GilbertNo contracts for textiles or finished garments were placed by the Ministry of Defence direct with overseas firms, but for 14 contracts the cloth was obtained from overseas, in some cases in an unfinished state. The total value of clothing and textile contracts placed by the Ministry of Defence in 1978 was £51 million. The overseas element amounted to £370,000, split between Hong Kong—£245,000, Holland—£115,000 and Eire—£10,000.
§ Mr. HoyleI welcome my right hon. Friend's statement, but does he agree that there is an added danger to the textile industry? By directive, we have to advertise textile contracts worth over a certain amount throughout the EEC, yet other EEC countries are not complying with this directive. Is not this another bad deal for us in the Common Market? Will he advise his friends in the Treasury unilaterally not to comply with the directive until all other EEC countries are obeying it?
§ Dr. GilbertI am glad that my hon. Friend welcomed the fact that over 99 per cent. of our textile contracts are placed with this country. On his second point, during the last defence Question Time I was able to inform him that the Chief Secretary was taking up the question of advertising public contracts in other EEC countries. I am sure that he is vigorously pursuing it.
§ Mr. NobleIs not my right hon. Friend aware that his Department suffers from the same disability as any other in purchasing textile goods, because the marks or origin refer only to final processes? Will 945 he join other Departments in trying to change the scheme so that we know where the cloth has been spun, woven and finished, as well as made up?
§ Dr. GilbertI am not sure about the practicalities of what my hon. Friend suggests. I shall look into them.