§ 9. Mr. Marlowasked the Secretary of State for Industry how many people in his Department are primarily dealing with matters concerned with the footwear industry.
§ Mr. David MitchellThere are nine officials in the relevant sponsorship branch of the Department dealing with, but not exclusively with, the footwear industry.
§ Mr. MarlowHave these officials told my hon. Friend that, for the first time, 50 per cent. of the home market is now being provided by imports, and this on a declining market; that the British footwear industry is a very efficient industry with a reputation for quality second to none, and yet at the moment it has massive redundancies and massive layoff spending; and that this is largely due to the dumping of foreign shoes in this country and the closure of markets, also, in industrialised countries, against British footwear?
Will he discuss with his right hon. Friend and his right hon. Friend in another Ministry things that can be done so that the footwear industry, for which 16 he has some responsibility, is fairly treated and has a fair industrial base from which to operate in the future?
§ Mr. MitchellMy hon. Friend will be aware that the industry suffers from a shrinking market in the United Kingdom, at the same time as there has been an increase in imports. As to imports being in the form of unfair competition, as soon as we receive evidence to that effect we take action as quickly as possible.
§ Mr. Greville JannerIs the Minister aware that in previous recessions the so-called shrinking market has not affected British footwear because people still have to wear shoes even when afflicted by Tory Government policy? Has not the time come when he should recognise the grim misery in places such as Leicester, which depend traditionally on the footwear industry, and when he should make efforts to see that foreign shoes are not dumped on our market?
§ Mr. MitchellBoth I and the Minister for Trade conveyed to the Brazilian ambassador very frankly our concern at the dramatic increase of exports to the United Kingdom of Brazilian footwear only last week.
§ Mr. TrippierIs my hon. Friend aware that the retail commitment in the footwear industry is virtually non-existent and is certainly not being effectively monitored? Is there not a case for a new retail commitment, monitored by Government, with Government actively encouraging the retailers to buy British wherever possible?
§ Mr. MitchellThat is a matter for the trade. Certainly we shall be happy to co-operate with it in that attitude.