asked the Secretary of State for Industry (1) what is the average length of time which his Department takes to make known its view on problems relating to an industry, following the initial contact by the industry; and how this time compares with the recent submissions by the United Kingdom zip fastener industry; (2) if he is yet able to make a statement on the report of the United Kingdom Zip Fastener Manufacturers' Association relating to foreign imports which was sent to his Department on 22nd January 1975; (3) what representations he has received concerning the report of the United Kingdom Zip Fastener Manufacturers' Association; and what reply he has sent.
The time taken to deal with the problems of particular industries varies considerably according to the issues involved. We are not yet in a position to reply to the representations which have been made by the Zip Fastener Manaufacturers' Association but expect to be able to very soon. A number of hon. Members have written to us on this matter and our replies have referred, inter alia, to the significant decrease in imports of zip fasteners and parts which has occurred since the ZFMA submitted its report, to the fact that the United Kingdom itself is a substantial exporter of these products, and to the need for the United Kingdom zip fastener industry to do everything possible to make itself more competitive in world markets.