§ Dr. CableTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much financial assistance has been given in each of the last five years to(a) the British Printing Industries Federation, (b) the Booksellers Association, (c) London Fashion Week, (d) the Designer Fact File and (e) the Education Pack for Schools in the Clothing and Textile industries; what assistance is planned for the next three years; and if she will make a statement. [78261]
§ Mr. TimmsDTI does not provide direct financial assistance to the British Printing Industries Federation or the Booksellers Association but has worked with these organisations in partnership with other industry members to support initiatives aimed at raising their sectors' competitiveness and productivity.
My Department has contributed support towards the above initiatives as follows:
- London Fashion Week:
- 1997–2000—£120,000 per annum
- 2001—£170,000
- 2002—£214,000
- Designer Fact File:
- 1997—£22,000
- Education Packs for Clothing and Textiles:
- April 2001 to April 2003—£161,500
This support relates to specific industry-led initiatives aiming at supporting the UK textiles and clothing sector. The focus for this assistance is the priorities identified by the industry itself, contained in the Textiles and Clothing Strategy Group's report: 'A National 982W Strategy for the UK Textiles and Clothing Industry', published in June 2000. DTI will continue to work with the TCSG to support this industry but the level of future support depends on it coming forward with appropriate initiatives to help raise its competitiveness and viability.