§ Mr. McMasterTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the state of the carpet manufacturing industry in Scotland.
§ Mr. StewartThe latest full year figures show that the output of the Scottish carpet industry increased by almost 6.5 per cent. between 1991 and 1992. However this was against the background of a downward trend in output since 1989. Employment in the industry has been broadly stable since 1991 at around 1,500 employees.
§ Mr. McMasterTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to promote on the international market carpets designed and manufactured in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. StewartThe Scottish carpet industry can benefit from a wide range of advice and assistance available from Scottish trade international, including the Government's overseas trade services. These include support for participation in industry specific overseas trade fairs. The Scottish Enterprise-funded Scottish textile design development scheme places design graduates with Scottish textile companies to assist in improving their design awareness and capabilities. The Scottish carpet industry has benefited from this scheme.