§ Mr. Cryerasked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will state whether he has met the representations from the West Riding wool scouring industry for additional support to match that given to the French wool scouring industry.
§ Mr. David MitchellThe wool textile industry has had two schemes for modernisation and rationalisation under section 8 of the Industry Act 1972 and some wool scourers have taken advantage of these schemes. I have had no formal representation from the wool scouring sector requesting additional support to match French schemes for industrial modernisation.
The hon. Member may have in mind a recommendation by the joint working party of the Yorkshire water authority and the wool textile delegation for a subsidy to equate charges for treating trade effluent in West Yorkshire with those in the Lille area. Such a subsidy would appear contrary to the competition provisions of the EEC Treaty and stimulate requests from other industries for comparable assistance. The matter has been the subject of correspondence between officials of this Department and the wool textile delegation.