§ Mr. Fordasked the Secretary of State for Industry for what reasons Government funding of the textile industry has not been at the level of funding of the steel and motor industries, in the light of the greater job loss in that industry between 1970 and 1980.
§ Sir Keith Joseph[pursuant to the reply, 19 February 1981, c. 208]: The Government cannot be held responsible for the policies of the previous Administration or for their results. Our policy is to create an economic climate in which all industry can succeed without assistance from the taxpayer.
In the case of parts of the steel and motor industries, where the Government inherited lossmaking businesses which are wholly or partly publicly owned, the taxpayer must necessarily bear substantial costs unless and until those businesses return to profitability, are sold or are, subject to legal powers, liquidated.
346WIn the case of both public and private sector businesses, loss of jobs is not a yardstick for determining whether the taxpayer should be asked to provide assistance. The textile industry has, however, received substantial financial assistance from the taxpayer and non-financial assistance in several ways through, for example, the multi-fibre arrangement.