asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what representations she has received from the knitwear industry regarding its inclusion in the price check scheme; and if she will make a statement.

With my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Industry, I consulted both the Knitting Industries Federation and the Scottish Knitwear Council. Both bodies emphasised the cost increases their members face over the next six months, including raw material costs. While the Knitting Industries Federation was unable to recommend its members to make a contribution to the scheme, the Scottish Knitwear Council has recommended its members to include in it lines of their own choosing. I understand the difficulties of the industry's trading position, and I am grateful to the Scottish Knitwear Council for its co-operation in including some lines of knitwear in the scheme.