§ Mr. Rogersasked the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what discussions have taken place between Porth Textiles/ A. J. Gooding Group and him or the Welsh Development Agency in relation to its possible closure;
(2) if he will ensure that the Welsh Office and the Welsh Development Agency explore every channel of aid, by way of grant, loan or guarantees available to Porth Textiles in order to ensure continuation of operation.
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§ Mr. Nicholas EdwardsMy Department and the Welsh Development Agency were in close touch with the company's management prior to the appointment of a receiver at Porth Textiles and are now maintaining contact with that receiver. Both my Department and the agency stand ready to do whatever they can to ensure that the maximum level of employment is maintained or recreated on a viable basis.
§ Mr. Rogersasked the Secretary of State for Wales what grants, loans or guarantees have been accorded to Porth Textiles or A. J. Gooding Group from public sources in the past six years.
§ Mr. Nicholas EdwardsDiscretionary grants—under the provisions of the Industry Act 1972 —totalling £160,000 have been paid to Porth Textiles since January 1978. The company also obtained within this period a loan of £600,000 from the European Investment Bank on which an exchange risk guarantee was provided. The benefit of this loan and responsibility for its repayment have since been transferred to the A. J. Gooding Group.
Porth Textiles will also have received regional development grants, which are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.