5 Secondly, the restraints on exports of
non-cotton textiles to the United States which
several Asian countries have felt it
necessary to accept, are likely to increase
the pressure of textile imports generally
on the UK market
1
6 Thirdly, the traditional textile areas in
Lancashire are facing a difficult employment
problem. Successive Governments, and I think,
most of the leaders of the cotton textile
industry, have accepted that the number of
mills and the number of employees must
continue to fall if a modern and prosperous
industry is to emerge.
remain of that belief.
The Government
The need for the
industry to modernise its plant and management
and streamline capacity is as great as ever.
I recognise that much hąs already been
achieved.
But the present rate of shrinkage
is taking place at a time when there are
not enough other jobs immediately available
for those made redundant by mill closures.
7 At a time when our market is peculiarly
vulnerable for the reasons I have subscribed,
the Government have come to the conclusion
that the policy previously announced of
reintroducing quantitative restrictions
selectively only if and when imports of
particular products cause disruption, is
unlikely to give the necessary stability of
market and employment conditions. In
/particular