Written question asked by John Cummings (Labour) on Tuesday, 9 March 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 12 March 1999. It was answered by John Battle (Labour) on Friday, 12 March 1999 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what representations he has received from the textile trade (a) owners and (b) trade unions concerning problems facing the industry; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Mr. Cummings: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received from the textile trade (a) owners and (b) trade unions concerning problems facing the industry; and if he will make a statement. [76263] Mr. Battle: My Department has received a number of representations from owners and trade unions involved in the textiles industry. The most significant of these was the presentation of a joint Action Plan to improve the competitiveness of the textiles and clothing sector submitted by the British Apparel and Textile Confederation and the industry's principal trade unions. The industry has now established the Textiles and Clothing Strategy Group, made up of representatives from trade associations, trade unions, academia, manufacturing and Government, to develop a strategy for the long term sustainable development of the industry, building on the work in the Action Plan. My Department provides the secretariat for the group.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 76263; 327 c409W
Session: 1998-99
Subjects: Manufacturing industries Sustainable development Trade unions Textiles Trade associations Textiles and Clothing Strategy Group British Apparel and Textile Confederation