§ 4. Mr. HANNONasked the President of the Board of Trade, whether he can present a statement showing the various key industries which have been enabled to continue and extend their activities in consequence of the operation of Part I of the Safeguarding of Industries Act; and whether he can also show a similar statement giving approximately the number of persons who have been enabled to continue in permanent employment consequent upon the application to the industry upon which they have been engaged of Part II of the same Act?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEMy present information indicates that the industries affected by Part I of the Safeguarding of Industries Act have been enabled to continue, and that the range of production has been considerably extended. With regard to the second part of the question, I have recently requested the trade associations concerned to furnish my Department with periodical information as to employment in the industries covered by Orders made under Part II of the Act, 258 but returns are not yet available. In this connection I would remind my hon. Friend that the Orders have only been in operation some three months, and in one case for a still shorter period.
§ Mr. HANNONWill the right hon. Gentleman say that in point of fact this Act has conferred certain distinct advantages on the industries of this country?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEWithout doubt, Sir.
§ Captain WEDGWOOD BENNWill the right hon. Gentleman publish to the House the official information after making an ex parte, statement?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEI have not made an ex parte statement. I was asked what was the deduction from the information in my possession, and I have given that.
§ Major MACKENZIE WOODWill the right hon. Gentleman also inquire how many men have been thrown out of employment by this legislation?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEI have no reason to suppose that a single man has been thrown out of employment.
§ Sir JOHN SIMONIs it not a fact that since the Fabric Gloves Order was made the export of cotton yarn from Lancashire to Germany has been reduced by very nearly one million pounds weight?
§ Mr. SPEAKERNotice should be given of a question of detail like that.