§ Mr. SHERWELL (by Private Notice)asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can give particulars of the assistance given or proposed to be given by the Government to Messrs. Levinstein and British Dyes, Limited, in connection with the proposed fusion of their interests; and whether it is to be a condition of such assistance that it shall be extended on the same terms to other producers of dye-stuffs who may hereafter apply?
§ Mr. WARDLEI would refer my hon. Friend to the statement made by the President of the Board of Trade on the Board of Trade Vote on the 15th May. From that statement he will see that it is not proposed to give any special financial assistance to British Dyes, Limited, and Levinstein, Limited, in connection with the proposed amalgamation beyond that already given to British Dyes, and that the additional financial assistance which the Government propose to give to the dye-making industry will not be confined to the companies named or any amalgamation which they may form.
§ Mr. SHERWELLCan the hon. Gentleman give me an explicit answer in regard to the second part of the question?
§ Mr. WARDLEThat is contained in the answer. There will be no monopoly by this company.
§ Sir E. CARSONAre we to conclude from this answer that all dye manufacturers will have the same encouragement for research, with a view to pushing the dye industry in this country?
§ Mr. WARDLEThat was explicitly stated.
§ Mr. PRINGLEIs it the case that some of them have been called up for military service? Is that the kind of encouragement to give them?