§ Mr. Lamondasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a special study of the long-term employment prospects in the textile industry in Lancashire.
§ Mr. Dudley SmithThe Textile Council's report on the cotton and allied textile industries included an assessment of future employment prospects which was based on a thorough examination of all the relevant factors. The appropriate Government Departments are continuing to keep a close watch on developments and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has instructed his officials to set up special monitoring machinery in co-operation with the industry. Therefore I do not think that a special study, which would involve considerable administrative expense, would be justified.