§ Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will indicate the numbers employed in the weaving industry in Wales and if he will publish in the Official Report details of the total sales of finished cloth produced by weavers in Wales each year since 1970.
§ Mr. Nicholas EdwardsThis information cannot be given as it would risk disclosing information on individual enterprises.
164Wfacilities now located at certain defence R and D establishments. The direct sale of one or more factories, should this prove sensible, is not however excluded.
In deciding to move forward in this way, the Government are seeking to overcome the major constraints on the ROFs identified by the study group. The Government recognise, however, that the successful achievement of these changes depends on a number of factors some of which have not yet been fully explored. The personnel issues that would arise in implementing any transition from public to private sector status would be handled with understanding. The Government look forward to further consultation with those concerned on the broad proposals outlined in this answer whilst they consider the form of the parliamentary legislation that would be necessary.