§ Mr. RowlandsTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he last met the senior management of Marks and Spencer to discuss the impact on employment levels of their decision to terminate supply contracts with W. S. Baird Ltd. [107022]
§ Mr. Alan JohnsonI am due to meet senior managers of Marks and Spencer in the coming few weeks for a routine briefing. No doubt product sourcing will be one of many issues discussed.
§ Mr. RowlandsTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has held with Department for Education and Employment ministers on the impact on employment of Marks and Spencer's decision to discontinue sourcing from W. S. Baird Ltd. [107021]
§ Mr. Alan JohnsonI have not discussed the decision of Marks and Spencer to discontinue sourcing from W. S. Baird Ltd. with Ministers from the Department for Education and Employment. However, Government Departments, including the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department for Education and Employment are in regular contact and work together to provide a range of support to the textile and clothing industry.