HC Deb 18 June 1998 vol 314 cc317-8W
25. Mr. Woolas

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations she has received on the export prospects in the United Kingdom clothing and textile industry. [45076]

Mrs. Roche

DTI ministers and officials have a regular dialogue with representatives of the textiles and clothing industry to discuss export prospects and opportunities for UK manufacturers of textiles, clothing and footwear. This dialogue is conducted through the British Apparel and Textiles Export Advisory Group (BATEAG).

BATEAG is used primarily as a forum for discussing specific export opportunities for the textiles and clothing industry, but it also provides members with the opportunity to discuss the wider economic background to exporting.

Mr. Woolas

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations she has received regarding the value of the pound and its impact on the clothing and textile industry. [44990]

Mr. Nigel Griffiths

I have met representatives of the textiles, clothing, and footwear industries over the past six months and have had the opportunity to discuss with them the impact of macro-economic factors upon the industry in the UK. I have discussed these issues recently with the T&GWU at their conference in Skegness, with a range of knitwear manufacturers at a conference in April, and with footwear manufacturers in February.

Mr. Woolas

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what measures she is taking to promote the British clothing and textile industry. [44989]

Mr. Battle

DTI is supporting a range of activities aimed at improving the competitiveness of the UK's textiles and clothing industries. These include projects to help improve marketing skills, develop supply chain partnerships, encourage better links between industry and academia, improve environmental performance, promote the profile of the industry, and assist young fashion designers.

DTI Ministers and officials are also engaged in a dialogue with representatives of the textiles and clothing industries and the trade unions, with a view to establishing a more coherent strategic framework in which these various activities can be placed.