§ Mr. Wrigglesworthasked the Secretary of State for Industry (1) why the Bank of England was chosen to carry out an inquiry into the British clothing industry;
(2) whether any other body was asked to carry out the inquiry into the British clothing industry commissioned by the Bank of England;
(3) if he approved the decision of the Bank of England to undertake an inquiry into the British clothing industry.
Mr. Alan WilliamsThe Bank of England's proposed examination of the structure and the financial resources of the clothing industry is being carried out on its own initiative. Consequently the question of choosing between the Bank and other bodies to undertake the study did not arise. The Bank's proposals have been welcomed by my Department and by the Clothing Economic Development Committee as a useful complement to the existing Clothing Industry Scheme of Assistance and to the Industrial Strategy work being carried out through the EDC.