§ Mr. Richard Wainwrightasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many jobs were lost to the textile industry within the metropolitan borough of Oldham and Kirklees for the period 1977, 1978 and 1979; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Jim LesterIn 1977 a total of 1,284 redundancies were confirmed to my Department as having occurred in the textile industry in the employment office areas which most closely correspond to the metropolitan borough of Oldham and Kirklees. The figures for 1978 and January to October 1979 were 344 and 1,281 respectively. The Government are aware of the difficulties facing the textile industry and are taking such steps as are open to them, for instance by pressing for the effective implementation of the multi-fibre arrangement, to protect the industry from unfair competition. More generally, the success of the Government's economic policies will provide the best prospects for the future of the industry.