§ Mr. Maddenasked the Secretary of State for Industry what representations he has made to the Council of Ministers of the EEC about the unfair competition faced by the British woollen industry from woollen industries in other EEC countries which have lower water and effluent disposal charges than Great Britain; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. CryerNo representations have yet been made to the EEC Council of Ministers about the disparities between member States in charges for water and trade effluent disposal which are faced by the wool industry. The Departments of the Environment and Industry are currently examining the recently submitted report of the joint Yorkshire Water Authority/Wool Textile Delegation Working Party, which was set up to examine this problem and the effects of these charges on the competitiveness of the United Kingdom wool industry. It is our intention to come to decisions on the various recommendations of the report as quickly as possible.