§ 19. Mr. SHERWELLasked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is the intention of the Government to assist financially and otherwise, in the organisation of the supply of aniline and other dyes; and, if so, whether the can give the House an assurance that no engagements will be entered into on behalf of the Government until the proposals and recommendations of the Haldane Committee are laid before this House?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Runciman)Since the beginning of the War the earnest attention of His Majesty's Government has been given to the best means of averting the grave danger of stoppage of employment in the textile and other industries which depend upon a supply of colours owing to the interruption of imports from Germany. Emergency measures are already being taken to secure for the time being the continuity of supply of dye stuffs by encouraging the immediate development of existing sources in the United Kingdom, and elsewhere. In addition, however, the inquiries of the Government have led them to the conclusion that the excessive dependence of this country on a single foreign country for materials of such vital importance to industries in which millions of our workpeople are employed constitutes a permanent danger which can only be remedied by a combined national effort on a scale which requires and justifies an exceptional measure of State encouragement.
761 Accordingly the Board of Trade have entered into consultations with the principal interests concerned with a view to the elaboration of a scheme for the establishment of an undertaking for the production of synthetic dyes and colours. In the main it is hoped that the capital required will be forthcoming from the industries by which dyes and colours are mainly used, but the Treasury are prepared within certain limits, and subject to certain conditions, to afford financial support to a well-considered scheme which will be permanently under British control. I am not prepared at the moment to enter into fuller details, because several matters are still the subject of confidential negotiations, but further information will be made public as soon as practicable.
As regards the last part of the question, I am authorised by the Lord Chancellor to say that in his view the Committee over which he presides was intended to bring together those possessing special knowledge and experience of various aspects of the problems of chemical industry arising out of the War, so as to promote an exchange of views and to give practical assistance to the Government in finding a solution, rather than for the purpose of presenting a formal report and recommendations on the very wide range of subjects within the purview of the Committee. In these circumstances, and in view of the very urgent nature of the practical difficulties which we have to meet, I think that my hon. Friend will see that it is not practicable to give the suggested undertaking.
§ Mr. SHERWELLCan the President of the Board of Trade say whether this House will have an opportunity of considering that further information before arrangements are completed?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe steps which have to be taken are naturally of an urgent nature. If the House is not sitting I should certainly deprecate delaying the operations which are necessary in the interests of supply until the House meets again. The fullest information will be given to the public.
§ Mr. SHERWELLAre we to understand that the temporary needs which the right hon. Gentleman referred to cannot be met by the interim issuing of licences in the customary way?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANMy information is that they cannot be met in the interim in that way. The needs are very urgent.
§ Mr. HEWINSCan the right hon. Gentleman say how long the present stock of dyes will last?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI do not think it is in the public interest to say. Certainly they are not likely to last over next year.
§ Mr. HEWINSCan the right hon. Gentleman state what the composition of the Committee that will consider this matter will be?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANIt has been made fully public.
§ Mr. BARNESWill it be within the purview of the Committee to inquire or take steps to prevent the importation of German dyes after the War?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI do not think that is in the least necessary. I hope the steps that will be taken will be quite sufficient to enable English manufacturers to hold their own against German competition.