§ Mr. Steelasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what have been the reasons for the delay in the implementation of the Scottish knitwear industry promotion scheme; when he expects it to be introduced; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. George YoungerThe Scottish knitwear industry is free to implement its export promotion scheme at any time; it is for the industry to determine when it will do so. The industry has, however, been anxious to secure a financial contribution from the Scottish Development Agency for the scheme, and I had to inform the agency in July that I could not confirm my conditional approval of a contribution because it had become clear that any special support from public funds for such a scheme would prejudice the Government's efforts to end the spiral of State aid to textiles within the European Community.