TNAG-0165-FCO40-201-Export-of-textiles-to-Norway-and-Sweden-1969 — Page 118

Ref.: EC0/6017.

JCL/FEJ

Commercial Department,

British Embassy,

Skarpögatan 6

THAN

S-115 27 STOCKHOLM.

157

;

10 June, 1969.

./.

./.

Swedish Imports of Portuguese Textiles

Thank you for your letter of 6 June (Ind.1/570/P4).

2. We have succeeded in identifying the Swedish manufacturer of blankets and travelling rugs which the Swedish authorities appear to be trying to protect. It is Tidstrands Yllefabriker A3 of Sagmyra, Dalarna. This firm is the only firm of any importance in the area. It manufactures cheap rayon and acrylic blankets and is said to have been seriously hit by imports from Portugal and Yugoslavia. Sågnyra is in the northern half of Sweden, where there are some considerable pockets of unemployment due to the rationalisation of forestry and farming activities. It is claimed

1200 that, if the Tidstrand plant were to be closed down, some 1100 people would be affected and the 410 employees would have difficulty in finding alternative employment.

3. Our informant confirmed our general impression of the employment situation in the textile industry (Mackenzie's telegram to Shaun Stewart of 6 June refers), namely, that the shortage of labour is becoming acute especially in the Borås textile area and that there is some shortage of labour in all sectors of the textile industry.

4.

I enclose, as requested, some statistics showing Swedish imports and exports of blankets and travelling rugs and a fivefold increase in imports from Portugal. I also enclose statistics of Sweden's total imports of clothing in 1968 and in the first three months of this year.

J. C. Longbothan, First Secretary (Economic)

Copied to:- Roger Maynard, Esq., Geneva

Miss C. H. Weich,

Board of Trade,

Industries Division 1,

1 Victoria Street,

LONDO M. S.V.1.

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY No.51 20 JUN 1969

WKKG/500/1