§ Mr. Watkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Industry what is the present state of the fibres market in the United Kingdom; to what extent that market is subject to cyclical fluctuations; how the market is affected by recent developments in the economy; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MeacherI assume my hon. Friend is referring to textile fibres. The market situation varies somewhat between different fibres, but there is in general no shortage of supplies, and the price of the main fibres—cotton, wool and man-made —has fallen from the peaks of the last two years. Total demand is related to the level of demand in the textile and clothing industries, and therefore to the state of the economy in the United Kingdom and in world markets. Comparative demand is influenced by the relative market prices of the different fibres.