§ 61. Mr. HANNONasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the British Empire Sugar Machinery Association deny that manufacturers on the Clyde are with one or two exceptions doing a normal trade; that the association, which comprises in its membership all the important firms engaged in this industry, have ascertained that no inquiries in regard to conditions in the industry have been made on behalf of any Government Department; whether he will state, in these circumstances, on what 1543 grounds his previous reply was based; and whether he will institute further inquiries with a view to eliciting the exact conditions prevailing in this industry?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. William Graham)In reply to the first three parts of the question, the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member on the 26th February was based on the result of specific inquiries made at his request by the Ministry of Labour. As regards the last part of the question, I received on Tuesday last a deputation of workers from the Clyde who laid before me very fully their views as to the conditions prevailing in the industry referred to.
§ Mr. HANNONIn making inquiries of this sort, will the hon. Gentleman ask the Minister of Labour to refer to the association immediately concerned, which will give him a great deal of reliable information?
§ Mr. GRAHAMI can assure my hon. Friend that very full inquiry has been made. Strictly speaking, this is an issue for the standardisation of Preference, and it is only narrowly an industrial question in this country.