§ Mr. Nicholas Wintertonasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) on what grounds the proposed clothing, footwear and textiles scheme for technological investment in the United Kingdom clothing, footwear and textile industries has been disallowed by the European Economic Community;
(2) if he will outline the major proposals of the clothing, footwear and textile scheme for investment in the United Kingdom clothing, footwear and textile industries; and which of its provisions were objected to by the European Economic Community;
(3) what has been the total amount of Government investment in each of the following industries in the latest year for which figures are available; and what rate per 1,000 employees in each of the following industries this figure represents (a) the coal mining industry, (b) the steel industry, (c) motor vehicle manufacture, (d) the computer manufacturing industry and (e) the clothing, footwear and textile industry;
(4) what plans he now has for Government investment in the United Kingdom clothing, footwear and textile industries;
(5) what information he has concerning the current annual levels of Government investment in the textile industries of each of the member countries of the European Economic Community;
(6) what reasons the European Commission gave to his Department for its refusal to approve the implementation of the clothing, footwear and textiles (CLOFT) scheme for investment in the United Kingdom; if he has any alternative proposals for investment assistance in these industries; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. TrippierI shall reply to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.