Letter: Promoting industry

Sir: May I respond to the request of Ken Jackson, of the Amalgamated Engineering and Electrical Union, for a parliamentary group for manufacturing ("Bank chief invited to sample shop floor", 12 October)?

The Parliamentary Manufacturing Industry Group has been in existence since 1994 and was established by members of both Houses and leading manufacturers. The group works to raise the profile of manufacturing issues and to promote measures to assist manufacturing industry.

The TUC is not currently a member of the group, but we would welcome Ken Jackson's active participation.

BARRY SHEERMAN MP

(Huddersfield, Lab)

PMIG Chairman

House of Commons

London SW1