HC Deb 03 March 1988 vol 128 c639W
Mrs. Mahon

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will seek an extension of the European regional development fund non-quota textile area regulation initiative; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Atkins

Council regulation (EEC) No. 724/75, on which the 1980 and 1984 textile area "non-quota" regulations are based, has been repealed. The current textile area regulation expires on 31 March 1989 and no further financial allocations can be made under it.

These special "non-quota" measures were always intended to operate for a limited period and to depend on the substantial European regional development fund funding which was temporarily made available.

However, small and medium-sized firms throughout Great Britain may now apply for the new consultancy grants recently announced as part of my Department's enterprise initiative.