12 and 14. Major BARNESasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what industries were found during the War to require State support; in each case what support was given;
(2) what industries were at the outbreak of war found to be so neglected as to give a supply inadequate for the essential task of war and the maintenance of the life of the country"
§ Sir R. HORNEAt the outbreak of war a number of different industries were found to be unable to furnish adequate supplies for the essential task of war and the maintenance of the life of the country. State support was given in various ways, by grants or loans of money, by Government investment, by affording relative priority of material and transport, and by other means. In view of the great number and variety of these operations, and of the large number of Government Departments concerned, the details required could be compiled only with great difficulty and at great expense.
Major BARNESMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, before he introduces the Key Industries Bill, he will publish a memorandum which will give the House such information on this subject as will enable them to apply to the key industries the various tests which the-Prime Minister laid down a year ago?
§ Sir R. HORNEI daresay hon. Members of the House will be very well able to apply their own minds to the problem without any such elaborate investigation, and at such expense, as my hon. and gallant Friend suggests.
Major BARNESDoes the right hon. Gentleman's answer mean that he has not himself got the information?
§ Sir R. HORNEI shall have sufficient information for the proposals which I shall make.
§ Sir P. MAGNUSMay I ask whether, in the Bill the right hon. Gentleman is going to introduce, the industries referred to in Question 14 of my hon. and gallant Friend will be included?
§ Sir R. HORNEI do not think it is desirable to let the cat out of the bag too soon.
13. Major BARNESasked the President of the Board of Trade what industries are now in such a financial position as to require for their maintenance the assistance of the Government?
§ Sir R. HORNESo far as financial assistance is concerned, I would call attention to Return No. 180, dated 31st July, 1920, which gives particulars of the public money invested by the Government at that date in registered companies carrying on various industries. The dye industry is receiving assistance in accordance with the scheme outlined in the White Paper (Cd. 9194 of 1918), and particulars as to the grants and loans made were given in this House on the 6th December last, in reply to a question by the hon. Member for West Derbyshire. I am sending the hon. Member copies of these papers and of the question and answer referred to. As regards assistance by way of legislation, I may point out, so far as the Board of Trade are concerned, that the dye industry has been dealt with by the Act passed last Session, and the Bill referred to in the King's Speech will contain the proposals of the Government in relation to other industries.
Major BARNESDoes the list to which the right hon. Gentleman has referred contain a complete number of industries which require financial assistance?
§ Sir R. HORNEThe list does show what the Government has done in the way of giving grants-in-aid to various industries. I do not say it covers every possible form of assistance which might have been given.