§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Prime Minister whether she will publish in the Official Report a statement showing the fall in output and employment in the clothing industry since May 1979.
§ The Prime MinisterOutput in the United Kingdom clothing industry fell by almost 29 per cent. between May 1979 and December 1980. Employment in Great Britain fell by about 12 per cent. between May 1979 and November 1980. These are the latest figures available.
§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Prime Minister what assessment the Government have made of the effect interest and exchange rate policies are having in helping the clothing industry to increase its efficiency and reduce unit labour costs.
§ The Prime MinisterIt is not sensible to try to assess separately the effects of interdependent elements of the Government's economic policies, the overall aim of which is to reduce the rate of inflation and to create an environment in which enterprise can flourish It will be up to individual companies to take advantage of (he opportunities which the success of our policies will provide to improve their efficiency and competitiveness.