§ Mr. Cyril Smithasked the Secretary of State for Industry how many mill closures in the textile industry have taken 743W place, or been announced, in the last three months; and if he will make a statement on Government intentions to prevent the flow of imports of cotton yarns from Turkey.
Mr. Les Hucklield:According to our records, there were 15 mill closures in the textiles industry, including hosiery and knitwear, during the months of September, October and November 1978. The impending closure of a further six mills was also announced.
The Government suspended all imports of Turkish cotton yarn from outside the 'Comm0unity, except for consignments in transit, on 15th September 1978, and are seeking authority from the Commission to waive the free circulation provisions of the Treaty of Rome in any cases where consignments of Turkish cotton yarn are imported through other member States.
CHANGES IN ASSISTED AREAS Employment Office Areas* Change in Assisted Area status involved Effective date Statutory Instrument Aberdeen Group (Aberdeen, Inverurie and Stonehaven) Development Area to Intermediate Area 14th April 1977† 1977 No. 683 Malton, Northallerton, Pickering Richmond and Thirsk " " *These areas are based on Employment Office Areas as defined at the date of the change. †As a transitional arrangement the areas remained eligible for regional incentives on the basis of the old grading until 1st April 1978.
ADDITIONS TO ASSISTED AREAS Employment Exchange Area Employment Office Area(as appropriate) Type of Assisted Area Effective date Statutory Instrument North East Lancashire Intermediate 5th March 1970 Accrington Area 1970 NO.308 Bacup " " " Barnoldswick " " " Blackburn " " " Burnley " " " Colne " " " Darwen " " " Great Harwood " " " Haslingden " " " Nelson " " " Padiham " " " Rawtenstall " " " Yorkshire Askern (now part of Doncaster) " " " Barnsley " " " Castleford " " " Dinnington " " " Doncaster " " " Goldthorpe " " " Hemsworth " " " Hoyland " " "