Textile Industry (Hansard, 1 February 1973)

HC Deb 01 February 1973 vol 849 cc437-8W 437W

§ Mr. Joel Barnett
to asked the Secretary of State for Employment with reference to the Social Fund set up by the Council of Ministers in December 1972, what is his estimate of the amount that he will be claiming on account of assistance to the Lancashire textile industry in order to assist in retaining and resettling textile workers; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Chichester-Clark
The Government have applied for assistance from the
438W
to increase the number of national holidays to a total more in line with other members of the EEC.

§ Mr. Chichester-Clark
It would not be consistent with our general counter-inflation policy to do this at the present time. There is no requirement for EEC countries to harmonise their holiday arrangements.