§ 60. Sir H. CROFTasked the President of the Board of Trade how many artificial silk factories have been built or commenced in the last five years, and how many persons are employed therein?
§ Mr. W. GRAHAMAccording to Press reports some 23 factories for making artificial silk have been established or re-equipped during the last five years. Of these it would appear, however, that only some 13 were actually working in October last. I have no information as to the numbers of persons employed in these particular factories, but the total numbers of persons estimated as employed 233 in the silk and artificial silk industries in June, 1925, and June, 1929, were 42,750 and 67,573, respectively.
§ Commander BELLAIRSDo these figures include extensions of factories as well?
§ Mr. GRAHAMPart of the reply refers to the re-equipment of factories, but, on the facts before me this afternoon, I should not like to be precise regarding extensions.