§ Mr. Nicholas Wintertonasked the Secretary of State for Industry whether the textile and clothing industry has officially asked for assistance under the Industry Act; and, if so, what is his Department's attitude to this application.
Mr. Alan WilliamsThe Government are considering a request from the wool textile industry for a further scheme of assistance in addition to the £18 million already allocated. They are also considering requests from the Lancashire cotton and allied textile industry and the British jersey fabric industry for schemes under Section 8 of the Industry Act 1972.
107WThe Government have made £20 million available to the clothing industry under Section 8 of the Industry Act.
Assistance for employment-creating projects is already available to the textile and clothing industries under Section 7 of the Industry Act. The accelerated projects scheme under Section 8 can assist projects which have been shelved through lack of funds. These projects should be for new investment or modernisation, with a capital cost normally exceeding £500,000.
§ Mr. Nicholas Wintertonasked the Secretary of State for Industry what aid is currently being given to the textile industry.
Mr. Alan WilliamsI give below the latest available figures showing identifiable financial assistance currently being given to the textile industry:
- (a) Offers of assistance under Section 7 of the Industry Act 1972, 12 months to 31st March 1976, £3.8 million;
- (b) Regional Development Grants, 12 months to 31st March 1976, £10.8 million;
- (c) Assistance under the Wool Textile Scheme, Section 8 of the Industry Act.
£13.6 million has been committed since the beginning of the scheme in July 1973, of which 7.5 million has been paid out to date.
- (d) Research Associations, £480,000.
- (e) One offer of assistance has been made under the accelerated projects scheme under Section 8 of the Industry Act.
In addition, 160 firms had applied for temporary employment subsidy up to 18th June 1976.