§ Mr. M. MacMillanasked the President of the Board of Trade what was the production of Orb-mark stamped Harris tweed in the Outer Hebrides in the past twelve months; what proportion was exported to dollar areas; what was the output of unstamped Harris tweed during the same period and the dollar area export proportion; and what was the value in each case.
§ Mr. H. WilsonThe production of Harris tweed stamped with the Orb-mark during 1947 was four million linear yards (29 inches wide). Figures are not available of the proportion exported to dollar areas but it is estimated that not more than 60 per cent. of total exports or one-fifth of the total production of stamped tweed was so exported. No figures are available for the production of unstamped Harris tweed, but it is estimated that this was about 1½ million linear yards. The proportion exported to dollar areas is not known, nor can any estimate of value be made in either case.
§ Mr. M. MacMillanasked the President of the Board of Trade how many looms are estimated to be active in the Outer Hebrides in the making of Harris tweed, what is the total known number of looms in the outer islands; and how many persons are estimated to be engaged in this work in the area.
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§ Mr. H. WilsonI have no accurate figures for the number of looms in the Outer Hebrides, but it is estimated that there are about 1,600 in use. As my hon. Friend will be aware, many persons in the Hebrides combine weaving as a part-time occupation with other work such as crofting and fishing, and moreover the same loom may be used at different times of the year by different members of the family. It is, therefore, not possible to estimate with any accuracy the total number of persons in the Outer Hebrides engaged whole-time or part-time in weaving, but the number is probably rather greater than the number of looms in use.