asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will take action to stop the increasing import penetration of the British textile industry, particularly in the constituency of the hon. Member for Macclesfield; and if he will make a statement.

I expect the textile industry, and my hon. Friend's constituents, will benefit from the Government's decision to retain import quotas on cotton textiles during 1972. But it is for the industry to develop its own markets.