Wool Textile Industry (Export Promotion Levy) (Revocation) Order 2008

I join in the thanks to the noble Baroness for producing the order. The presentation, justification and consultation process were extremely clearly set out. I congratulate the civil servants who were responsible for conducting this exercise. I shall be interested to hear the noble Baroness’s response to the questions asked from the Tory Benches. However, this is a sad commentary on the decline of our wool textile industry. Whether the drop in the exchange rate will result in an increase in wool textiles, only time will tell, but it looks as though we are coming close to the end of what used to be a major industry in our country. If you wanted a commentary on what has happened to our manufacturing sector, it is reflected in this order.