HC Deb 20 January 1981 vol 997 c120W
Mr. Ernie Ross

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if in view of the extent to which the performance of the British textile industry is affected by the exchange rate of sterling, interest rates and energy costs, he will bring forward financial measures to mitigate these effects.

Mr. Brittan

I assume that the hon. Member has in mind general changes in the Government's economic and financial policies, since any financial measures confined to the textile industry are primarily the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Industry. I am very conscious of the difficulties now facing the textile industry, but I am afraid that there nothing I can add to what my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer told the House during the course of the Supply day debate on 15 January.