§ Mr. Farrasked the Secretary of State for Industry, in view of redundancies among the dyers and finishers of hosiery and knitwear in the East Midlands resulting from closures due to increased water charges of 218 per cent. in Leicester and 319 per cent. for the industry in Northamptonshire, what steps he will take to help these industries.
Mr. Alan WilliamsI am aware of the effects on the textile industry which new systems of water charges, pursuant on the changes in the administration of water authorities made by the previous administration, are likely to have, and the prob224W lem is being examined in the Departments concerned. But I have myself received no specific representations from the dyers tand finishers of hosiery and knitwear. I should be glad to consider any views and facts they would like to put to me.