§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the impact of imported textiles and clothes on the UK textile industry. [127460]
§ Mr. Alan JohnsonThe increased level of imports of textiles and clothing has presented a significant challenge for domestic producers, which has been met in a variety of ways. Some UK companies have looked at the opportunities for manufacturing overseas to take advantage of lower wage rates; most have looked at their existing operations and worked to increase their competitiveness.
Most encouragingly the industry itself set up the Textiles and Clothing Strategy Group, and its Final report, "A National Strategy for the UK Textile and Clothing Industry" was launched last month. My Department responded rapidly and positively to the report's recommendations and we are considering what further action we can take to help the industry compete internationally in the future.
§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much of his recently announced support for the textile industry will go to firms based in(a) the Coventry area and (b) the West Midlands. [127461]
§ Mr. Alan JohnsonAll of the Government's 'announceables' outlined in its 12-point plan are applicable to(a) Coventry and (b) the West Midlands.
The DTI and DfEE are currently liaising to carry through the initiatives announced in the 12-point plan, and how much support a region is allocated very much depends on the 'take-up' from the textile and clothing industry in that locality.