§ Mr. Ginsburgasked the Secretary of State for Industry what proposals he has for further measures to improve the efficiency and productivity of the wool textile industry.
§ Mr. David MitchellThe wool textile industry has been extensively rationalised and modernised with the assistance of two sector schemes under section 8 of the Industry Act of 1972, aimed at improving its efficiency and productivity. Any further measures to improve efficiency and productivity are for individual companies in the industry to decide. The question of assistance woud arise only in so far as such measures were within the scope of the Industry Act arrangements announced to the House by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Industry on 17 July.
§ Mr. Ginsburgasked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will reconsider his decision to declassify most of West Yorkshire as an intermediate area in view of the current decline in the wool textile industry.
§ Mr. David MitchellI am considering the representations which a deputation from West Yorkshire put to me on 5 November.