§ 35. Charlotte AtkinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the progress of the action plan for the textile industry. [139567]
§ Ms HewittThe Government have made considerable progress on the implementation of the 12 point plan for the textile and clothing industry, announced on 6 June 2000 by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and the Minister for Employment, Welfare to Work and Equal Opportunities. A new unit has been set up within the DTI to implement the 12 point plan as well as the recommendations contained in the National Strategy, produced by the industry led Textiles and Clothing Strategy Group which were directed at Government.
Major developments have included:
- the establishment of a major new supply chain initiative for the textiles and clothing industry;
- temporary relaxation of the rules for trade fair support to enable more textiles and clothing companies to receive assistance;
- the establishment of more projects to help the technical textiles sector;
- initial meetings between public procurement agencies and manufacturers to discuss ways to improve UK supplies of securing contracts.