§ 20. Mr. Maddenasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what help his Department is giving to the British textile and clothing industries.
§ Mr. Giles ShawSome £300 million was received or offered over the last five years to textile and clothing firms (together with footwear firms) in the United Kingdom largely by way of regional assistance. Earlier this year my right hon. Friend announced a £4½ million scheme for assisting universities and colleges to buy advanced textile equipment in order to improve training facilities for the industry. We also intend, subject to parliamentary approval, to make a grant available to the British Fashion Council to help it to promote United Kingdom fashions.