§ Mr. CummingsTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received from the textile trade(a) owners and (b) trade unions concerning problems facing the industry; and if he will make a statement. [76263]
§ Mr. BattleMy Department has received a number of representations from owners and trade unions involved in the textiles industry. The most significant of these was the presentation of a joint Action Plan to improve the competitiveness of the textiles and clothing sector submitted by the British Apparel and Textile Confederation and the industry's principal trade unions. The industry has now established the Textiles and Clothing Strategy Group, made up of representatives from trade associations, trade unions, academia, manufacturing and Government, to develop a strategy for the long term sustainable development of the industry, building on the work in the Action Plan. My Department provides the secretariat for the group.