HC Deb 29 February 1988 vol 128 cc414-5W
Mr. Ingram

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will give the level of imports of acrylic yarn from Turkey for each of the years 1985, 1986 and 1987.

Mr. Alan Clark

United Kingdom imports of acrylic yarn from Turkey were: 1985, £1.6 million; 1986, £8.1 million; and for the 11 months to November 1987, £9.8 million.

Mr. Ingram

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what information he has as to how many workers employed by United Kingdom acrylic spinners are on short-time working as a result of imports of acrylic yarn from Turkey; if he has received any representations on this subject; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Alan Clark

I understand that no official statistics are available. However, I have received information from the industry that there is now extensive short-time working in this sector. I have received many representations from hon. Members and the industry, and I met representatives of the Confederation of British Wool Textiles on 9 February. I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Shipley (Sir M. Fox) on 26 February 1988.

Mr. Steel

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make it his policy to encourage the European Economic Community to place greater restrictions on imports of Turkish acrylic yarns.

Mr. Alan Clark

There is nothing I can add to the Answer which I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Shipley (Sir M. Fox) on 26 February 1988.

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