§ Mr. Dan Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will call a conference for all major store buyers with a view to encouraging the buying of British textiles in place of European textiles, in view of the expenditure on imports of textiles from the Continent.
§ Mr. RidleyBuyers have freedom of choice and Government intervention would not be consistent with our international obligations and interests.
§ Mr. Dan Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will 153W follow the practice, where possible, of purchasing textile requirements for his Department in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. RidleyMy Department makes only minimal purchases of textiles and will continue to follow the Government's general policy of obtaining the best value for money.
§ Mr. Dan Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he now expects to make a decision on the question whether the country of origin he clearly stamped on all textile garments coming into the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. RidleyI believe that such a decision is best deferred until we have identified and dealt with the need for stronger across-the-board defences against consumer deception in this field.