§ Mr. Cordleasked the Secretary of State for Industry what assistance his Department has given to the textile industry since January 1975; what further assistance is planned for the next 12 months: and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. KaufmanI refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Industry on 23rd July [Official Report, 23rd July 1975; Vol. 896, c. 558–71.]. I also refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Sowerby (Mr. Madden) [Official Report, 24th October 1975, Vol. 898, c. 296–7.]
In amplification of the reply given to my hon. Friend, I give below the figures showing identifiable financial assistance to the textile industry since 1st January 1975.
- a. Payments under Section 7 of the Industry Act 1972 (£000s) 1st January 1975 to date £1,095.
- b. Regional Development Grants (£000s). Figures are not available from 1st January 1975. Payments from 1st April–30th September 1975 were £4,300.
- c. Payments under the Wool Textile Scheme, Section 8 of the Industry Act 1972 (£000s). 1st January to date, £3,700.
Since January 1975 restraint agreements on trade in yarns, textiles and made-ups have been concluded under the GATT Multi-Fibre Arrangement with India, Pakistan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Macao and Malaysia. Restraints have been imposed on Taiwan and South Korea. During the next 12 months negotiations for restraint agreements will be held with Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Yugoslavia and other Eastern Area countries.
The full range of the Department's facilities will continue to be made available to the textile industry during the next 12 months.