§ Mr. Bruce-Gardyneasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement about the 136W availability of raw jute supplies for the textile industry on Tayside.
§ Mr. John DaviesYes. My Department has been and will remain in the closest contact with the problem. A delegation from the Association of Jute Spinners and Manufacturers is visiting the sub-continent and has succeeded in buying jute in India, hitherto not a supplier. As a result of this endeavour, and others by individual Dundee firms, the supply position should materially improve: short-time working has now been substantially reduced. However, anxiety must remain until the normal supply pattern is re-established, and this is being energetically pursued on the spot by representatives of both the industry and Her Majesty's Government.