§ 43. Mr. WELLS(for Mr. EVERARD) asked the President of the Board of Trade how many new artificial silk companies have been formed, the amount of authorised capital subscribed, and the number of factories that have been erected or are in the course of erection since the Silk Duties were imposed?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister)Since the 1st July, 1925, 12 companies, with an issued capital of something over three millions sterling, have been registered, with the manufacture of artificial silk as the primary object. As I stated on Tuesday, 10 artificial silk factories have been started, of which five are in the experimental stage and five are producing; six others are expected to be started shortly.
§ Mr. WELLSCan the right hon. Gentleman say how many additional people have been employed in these factories which have been started?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERNo, I cannot say that.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODCan the right hon. Gentleman say if there is any company negotiating with the Government regarding the Argyll Motor Works for a silk factory in Alexandria?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI think the hon. Gentleman should give notice of that, and will he put it to the Financial Secretary to the Treasury?
§ Mr. BUCHANANIn view of the fact that the right hon. Gentleman says that there are five additional factories now being negotiated, can he say if any of those additional factories are situated in Dumbartonshire?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERIf the hon. Gentleman will give me notice, I am sure I shall be able to answer him. Out of my head, I cannot.
§ Mr. BUCHANANIn view of the Government commitments in regard to Dumbartonshire, would it not be well if the right hon. Gentleman made a pronouncement, seeing that at the recent by-election this was made a chief subject?