§ Mr. Lomasasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry by how much the import of worsted fabrics has increased in 1970 compared with 1960 and 1969 from the Irish Republic, Israel, Italy, Finland, Switzerland, West Germany and Japan.
§ Mr. RidleyFollowing is the information:—
273W
§ Mr. Lomasasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry by how much the import of man-made fibre predominant fabrics containing wool has increased in 1970 compared with 1960
1960 Increase between 1960 and January-September, 1970 at annual rate 1969 Thousand square yards Increase between 1969 and January-September, 1970 at annual rate Italy … … … … 2,060 +1,015 2,280 +795 Switzerland … … … 4 +511 331 +184 Portugal … … … 0 +425 383 +42 Irish Republic … … 145 +276 350 +71 Belgium … … … 14 +349 301 +62
§ Mr. Lomasasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will state the total imports into the United Kingdom of worsted fabrics from January 1970 to the latest available date, and the total in each year from 1960 onwards.
§ Mr. RidleyInformation up to 1968 is published in Volume I of the Annual Statement of Trade of the United Kingdom. For 1969 imports were 2,420,000 square yards and for January to October, 1970, 2,066,000 square yards.
§ Mr. Lomasasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will state the total imports into the United Kingdom of woollen fabrics from January 1970 to the latest available date, and the total in each year from 1960 onwards.
§ Mr. RidleyInformation up to 1968 is published in Volume I of the Annual Statement of Trade of the United Kingdom, for 1969 in Table I of the Overseas Trade Accounts for December, 1969, and for January to October, 1970 in Table IV of the Overseas Trade Statistics for October, 1970. The figures for 1970 are not strictly comparable with those for earlier years.
§ Mr. Lomasasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will state the total imports into the United Kingdom of man-made fibre predominant fabrics containing wool from January 1970 to the latest available date, and the total in each year from 1960 onwards.
§ Mr. RidleyInformation up to 1968 is published in Volume I of the Annual Statement of Trade of the United Kingdom. For 1969 imports were 4,953,000 square yards and for January to October, 1970, 5,238,000 square yards.
274Wand 1969 from Italy, Switzerland, Portugal, the Irish Republic, and Belgium.
§ Mr. RidleyFollowing is the information:—
§ Mr. Lomasasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will state the total imports into the United Kingdom of wool, wool predominant, and man-made fibre predominant fabrics containing wool from January 1970 to the latest available date, and the total in each year from 1960 onwards.
§ Mr. RidleyInformation up to 1968 is published in Volume I of the Annual Statement of Trade of the United Kingdom. For 1969 imports were 20,664,000 square yards and for January to October, 1970, 18,659,000 square yards.
§ Mr. Lomasasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) how many suits made from worsted fabrics were imported into Great Britain from January, 1970, to the latest possible date; and how this compares with previous years;
(2) if he will list the countries from which suits made from worsted fabrics were imported into Great Britain from January, 1970, to the latest possible date; and how this compares with previous years.
§ Mr. RidleyFigures for worsted suits are not distinguished from woollen in the trade statistics.
§ Mr. Lomasasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he is aware of the rise in unemployment and short-time working in the woollen textile trade; what action he proposes to take to stop this trend; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if he will indicate what incentives there are to manufacturers of worsted fabrics, woollen fabrics and man-made fibre predominant fabrics containing wool, to invest in new machinery and new mills, in the West Riding of Yorkshire, with 275W particular reference to the Huddersfield district;
(3) if he is aware of the widespread uncertainty in the West Riding of Yorkshire, and the Huddersfield districts in particular, about the future of the woollen and worsted fabric industries; and what action he proposes to relieve this uncertainty.
(4) if he is aware of the decline in the woollen and worsted industries in the West Riding of Yorkshire; if he will set up a working party to inquire into the industries with a view to increasing investment efficiency and competitiveness; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir J. EdenThe future of the woollen and worsted textile industries, including the level of employment and investment, is essentially in the hands of the industries themselves. It was the subject of a comprehensive study by the Wool Textile E.D.C. published in June, 1969. The industries are broadly following the guidelines then laid down and I see no reason to change them.