HC Deb 16 July 1987 vol 119 cc579-80W
Mr. Latham

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what representations he has made to the Department of Commerce of the United States of America regarding the threat to the United Kingdom textile industry posed by the Textile and Apparel Trade Bill, currently before the Congress; and what reply he has received.

Mr. Alan Clark

When he was in Washington in March, the previous Secretary of State for Trade and Industry made clear to the United States Administration and to Members of Congress the United Kingdom Government's

Per cent.
United Kingdom 0.7
United States of America 0.9
Japan1 0.0
West Germany 0.1
France 0.5
1 Less than 0.05 in 1983 the latest available year.

Mr. Wilkinson

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what are the comparisons, as a percentage of gross domestic product at 1987 prices between (a) the United Kingdom, (b) the United States of America, (c) Japan, (d) West Germany and (e) France, for research funding in academic institutions by central Government and private industry.

Mr. Butcher

The available information for countries other than the United Kingdom relates to 1983 and is obtained from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development. The data are shown in the table.

Mr. Butcher

The available information relates to 1985 and is given in the table. For countries other than the United Kingdom it is obtained from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

strong opposition to the Textile and Apparel Trade Bill. The United States Administration are also opposed to the Bill.