HC Deb 23 July 1929 vol 230 cc1049-50
4. Mr. GRANVILLE GIBSON

asked the Lord Privy Seal in view of the fact that the Government have decided not to put into operation the Report of the Woollen and Worsted Committee in respect of the safeguarding of that industry, what scheme or schemes he proposes to put into operation at an early date for the relief of unemployment amongst the textile operatives of the West Riding of Yorkshire?

Mr. THOMAS

The assistance which the Government is offering to schemes for the promotion of economic development and the reduction of unemployment will be available for the West Riding of Yorkshire equally with other areas suffering from unemployment.

Mr. TOM SNOWDEN

Will the right hon. Gentleman use his influence with the President of the Board of Trade to institute an inquiry into the woollen and worsted industry, in regard to the adverse effect that trusts and combines have already had?

Mr. LEACH

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that the legalising of the Eight Hours Convention will help the textile trades very much?

Mr. THOMAS

I am quite sure that the Government had these and many other satisfactory reasons in mind before they arrived at their original decision.