HC Deb 22 December 1981 vol 15 cc365-6W
Mr. Nicholas Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for Employment when, having regard to the improvement in the underlying trends of various economic indicators, he expects a significant improvement in the unemployment situation in the British clothing and textile industries; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Peter Morrison

The Government's economic policies are designed to establish a favourable climate for industry which will lead to the creation of new and secure jobs. The United Kingdom is operating in a difficult economic environment and prospects for employment depend on a number of factors including productivity, competitiveness and a recovery in world trade This applies as much to textiles and clothing as to other industries. It is not possible to say when the decline in employment in textiles and clothing will be reversed although it is encouraging that the rate of job losses has eased very significantly during 1981.