§ Mr. Woolmerasked the Secretary of State for Industry, in the light of his answer to the hon. Member for Batley and Morley on 8 February, whether he has, formally or informally, asked any textile or clothing trade association, economic development council, or trade union, to carry out a detailed assessment of the implications of the accession of Greece, Spain and Portugal to the European Community; and, if not, if he will request such an assessment to be carried out, and publish details of the timetable 53W to which such assessments should be completed.
§ Mr. David Mitchell[pursuant to his reply, 13 March 1980]: I have not asked any textile or clothing trade associations, economic development council for trade union to carry out a detailed assessment of the implications of the accession of Greece, Spain and Portugal to the European Community.
It is for the industry itself to take the initiative in making detailed assessments if it considers that these would be to its advantage. As I made clear in answering the hon. Member's question on 8 February, the Government will take account of any detailed assessments which are made available to them.