HC Deb 23 March 1926 vol 193 cc1008-9
12. Sir ROBERT GOWER

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that Messrs. Ackroyd and Best, Limited, glass-makers, claim that a promise was given in or about the year 1914 by His Majesty's Government that, in the event of their building and equipping works for the making of heat-resisting glass suitable for miners' safety lamps, a certain number of years' clear protection as against all foreigners would be given to them as from the termination of the War; and whether he proposes to take any and, if so, what steps to carry this promise into effect?

Sir B. CHADWICK

A promise was given in 1914 that., provided English manufacturers were able to supply a sufficient number of suitable glasses, no flame safety-lamp glosses manufactured in Germany or Austria would be approved for use in the United Kingdom for a period of at least three years from the termination of the War. Further explanation of the matter was given in the Memorandum attached to the Coal Mines (Temporary Provisions as to Safety Lamps) Bill, which was introduced in 1922, a copy of which I am sending to my hon. Friend. No lamp glasses of German, Austrian or Czecho-Slovakian origin submitted during the period covered by the promise were in fact found to be suitable for approval.

90. Sir R. GOWER

asked the Minister of Labour the number of men out of employment in the glass-making industry in this country?

Mr. BETTERTON

The number of insured workpeople classified as belonging to the glass-making industry in Great Britain recorded as unemployed at 22nd February was 5,617.