asked the Secretary of State for Industry what repre- sentations he has received from the British Textile Employers' Association relating to the lorry drivers' strike; and if he will make a statement on his Department's assessment on the long-term damage done to the textile industry and the loss of output by this strike, the dispute involving the tanker drivers and the unofficial industrial action being taken by certain employees of the North-West water authority.

The British Textile Employers' Association has made clear to me its grave concern about the situation. It is too early to try to make a detailed assessment of the impact of these disputes.