asked the Secretary of State for Industry what action he is taking to assist the woollen industry with water and effluent charges.

I am actively examining with the industry how modernisation and the use of new techniques for wool scouring can reduce costs of water and trade effluent treatment. On 23rd October I met representatives of the industry to discuss the situation outlined in the recent report on water and trade effluent charges in Yorkshire. I am currently engaged in discussions with my right hon. Friend the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment regarding the industry.