§ 35. Mr. KELLYasked the President of the Board of Trade the number of companies registered as engaged in the artificial silk industry?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Herbert Williams)I regret that the information asked for is not available.
§ Mr. KELLYWhat are the statements made by the Department with regard to artificial silk based upon, when the hon. Member cannot tell us the number of companies in the country, although that information could be supplied by many hon. Members within the sound of my voice?
§ Mr. WILLIAMSArtificial silk is subject to Excise Duty, and consequently there is full information as to the quantity of artificial silk produced in this country.
§ Sir H. CROFTIs it not a fact that 15 companies against one are being or have been established during the last three years?
§ Mr. WILLIAMSI am afraid that I have not the exact figures in my mind.
§ Sir H. CROFTHas it not been stated by the great Dutch expert who is erecting a factory in this country?
§ Mr. SKELTONIs it really the case that the Board of Trade have no tabular statistics as to the number and type of companies in this country?
§ Mr. WILLIAMSThe task of classifying and analysing the register of companies is an almost impossible one, except at great expense.
Mr. SANDEMANIs it not a fact that a great many companies which are registered for other purposes use artificial silk as one of their raw materials, and therefore it is impossible to get statistics with regard to them?
§ Mr. KELLYAs the question does not ask for information regarding companies other than artificial silk companies, will the hon. Member endeavour to obtain this information?
§ Mr. WILLIAMSI am afraid I cannot ask the Registrar-General at Somerset House to go through many thousands of companies to prepare an answer to this question?
§ Rear-Admiral BEAMISHHas the safeguarding of industries any bearing on this question?