HC Deb 20 January 2000 vol 342 cc519-20W
Mr. Rammell

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the Manufacturing capacity of glass making in the UK, expressed in tonnes per day. [104766]

Mr. Alan Johnson

This Department has responsibility only for the lead crystal, container, scientific/technical and automotive glassware sectors. No such assessment of the manufacturing capacity in these industries has been undertaken.

Mr. Rammell

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the medium-term demand for manufactured glass in Britain. [104765]

Mr. Alan Johnson

This Department has responsibility only for the lead crystal, container, scientific/technical and automotive glassware sectors. No such assessment of the medium-term demand for manufactured glass in Britain has been undertaken. However, independent reports suggest that the UK glassware market is being increasingly influenced by fashion and design as part of the general trend towards casual dining which has increased the demand for glassware products.