§ 93. Mr. JannerTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he will make a statement concerning his policy towards support for the knitwear and hosiery industry in Leicester.
§ Mr. AtkinsThe Government's policy is to help firms to help themselves. Eligible firms are able to apply for assistance with consultancies under the enterprise initiative. They may, for example, seek help for exporting, research and technology, and for consultancy support for further development of their business.
Financial support under the textile and clothing education equipment scheme has been provided to Leicester polytechnic. In the inner cities context, the potential for the possible development of training and employment packages has been explored with local organisations by the Government's Highfields task force. As a result the task force is supporting a number of projects including the refurbishment of new premises for the Textile Arts Centre Ltd.; this will offer an additional 15 weaving and knitting YTS places and in-house training to City and Guilds standard. Task force support for the local Shama women's centre has resulted in 70 hosiery and knitwear overlocking and lock-stitching training places being provided.
The knitwear industry also benefits from the provisions of the multi-fibre arrangement and other trade agreements limiting imports from low-cost countries.