§ Mr. Cyril Smithasked the Secretary of State for Industry what were the number of spindles in the spinning industry (cotton system) in 1957, 1967 and 1976 in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Western Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom, respectively, and if the figure is not available in 1976, in 1975.
Mr. Alan WilliamsThe number of spindles in place in the cotton system spinning industry was:
in favour of United States industry, which they recommended should be extended to man-made fibres and yarns.
Mr. Alan WilliamsThe question of the comparative advantage gained by United States producers of man-made fibres and man-made fibre products from lower priced oil feedstock is still under consideration within the Department and the Man-Made Fibre Sector Working Party.