HC Deb 13 January 1988 vol 125 cc307-8W
33. Mr. Ian Bruce

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will give assistance to the Direct Selling

about 60 per cent. recorded by the USA, on a very low level of penetration, to a fall of 9 per cent. recorded by Canada.

51. Mr. Kirkwood

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the prospects for the textile industry in the calendar year 1988.

Mr. Atkins

Provided that United Kingdom textile firms remain competitive, the prospects for 1988 should be good.

60. Mr. Haynes

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster by how much the trade balance in textiles changed between the second quarter of 1979 and the second quarter of 1987; and what was the comparable figure in the average, best and worst performing Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development country.

Mr. Atkins

Data are not readily available on a quarterly basis. Information relating to OECD countries' trade in textiles is in the table.

Association in its implementation of the voluntary code of practice recently agreed with the Office of Fair Trading; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Maude

The Government welcome the Direct Selling Association's revised code of practice. Responsibility for enforcing and publicising the code lies with the association and its member companies. However my Department and the Office of Fair Trading will draw attention to the benefits of the code as suitable opportunities arise.