§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he plans to continue the levy upon the wool textile industry for export promotion administered by the Wool Textile Export Corporation; how much has been raised by the levy in each of the last five years; what representations he has received about any proposal to abolish the levy; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AtkinsIt was announced in the White Paper "Releasing Enterprise" (Cm. 512) on 2 November that there would be consultation on the future of the wool textile industry (export promotion) levy. A consultation period lasting three months, ending on 31 January 1989, has now begun. Thereafter, Ministers will reach a decision on whether the levy should continue in its current statutory form and, if appropriate, lay proposals before Parliament. Representations have been received by 263W officials from the National Wool Textile Export Corporation. The following amounts have been raised by the levy in the last five financial years:
Year ending 31 March £ 1984 331,136 1985 346,406 1986 380,103 1987 405,045 1988 424,811