§ 16. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the President of the Board of Trade if he can state, for any convenient date early in 1921, what was the total capital invested in the fine chemical industry; and what is the corresponding comparable figure to-day?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI regret that I have no means of arriving at the particulars desired by the hon. and gallant Member.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYHas the right hon. Gentleman enough information to tell us whether the capital invested has increased or decreased since that date?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERThe reason why it is impossible to give figures is that a very large number of firms which manufacture fine chemicals also manufacture other kinds of chemicals, and it, would be impossible to take out a proportion of the capital.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYCannot we be told one way or the other? Has recent legislation increased the manufacture in this country or not?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERYes. There are other questions on that subject on the Paper. Yes, enormously.