HC Deb 16 October 1975 vol 897 cc752-3W
Mr. Noble

asked the Prime Minister if, on the occasion of his visit to Blackburn, to open the public library, he will meet representatives of the textile trade unions, to discuss the situation facing the Lancashire textile industry.

The Prime Minister

My visit to Blackburn is for a very limited period; earlier in the day I am spending some hours visiting the Liverpool docks and having discussions with the shipping industry, and after opening the library, I have engagements to fulfil in Bradford. My Blackburn engagements provide for just 15 minutes to meet local and national representatives of the Old Age Pensioners' Association. While I understand they are willing to forgo this engagement to facilitate a meeting with representatives of the textile industry, clearly no meaningful discussion could take place in so short a time. I have accordingly proposed that the national officers of the United Textile Factory Workers' Association should meet me in London with the other Cabinet Ministers concerned.