To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a table showing the number of people employed in the thread industry in (a) Scotland, (b) Strathclyde and (c) Renfrew district in each year siuce 1975, showing the numbers that were (i) full-time or part-time, (ii) managerial, adminstrative and technical or manual and (iii) male and female; and if he will make a statement.

This data are not available in the precise form requested. Employment cannot be classified into full or part time; managerial, administrative, technical, manual; or male and female. In addition figures for Renfrew district are subject to disclosure restrictions under the Statistics of Trade Act 1947.The table shows the total number or employees in the thread industry for Strathclyde and Scotland in each year since 1975. The thread industry in common with other

industries requires a favourable economic climate in which to prosper. The Government's policy of low interest rates and low inflation is helping to stimulate the Scottish economy. The thread industry can be expected to share in this process.