§ Mr. Cryerasked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will introduce special measures to counter the decline in woollen textiles; and if he will make provision for assisted area status for those areas especially affected.
§ Mr. MacGregorThe wool textile industry has already received substantial aid under the temporary short time working compensation scheme and two specific sectoral schemes under the Industry Act. I have no plans to introduce any further schemes specifically for the industry.
As far as assisted area status is concerned, my right hon. Friend is required to take account of the criteria laid down in sections 1(4) and 13(1) of the Industry Act 1972, but, as the Government have repeatedly made clear, they are always ready to consider new evidence of significant long term change in an area's circumstances relative to the rest of the country.