§ Mr. Nicholas Wintertonasked the Minister for Trade by how much textile towelling imports have increased since 1979; and from which countries such imports come.
§ Mr. SproatIn 1982, imports by weight of terry towelling and similar terry fabrics of cotton were 32.6 per cent. higher, and imports by weight of toilet and kitchen linen 2.7 per cent. higher, than in 1979. The major countries of consignment of these commodities in 1982 were Portugal, the Irish Republic, India, Belgium and Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Austria and Italy.
Source: United Kingdom Overseas Trade Statistics, SITC(R2) Items 652.12, 22, 658.45 and 46).