§ 7 Mr. ARTHUR MICHAEL SAMUELasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether, in view of the unemployment in the cotton trade, arising in great part from the depression in the export branches, he will bring in a Bill on the lines of the Government's Coal Bill for a minimum price of cotton goods, a quota of production, and the amalgamation of cotton mills;
(2) whether, in view of the unemployment in the woollen textile industry, arising in great part from the depression in the export branches, he will bring in a Bill, on the lines of the Government's Coal Bill to provide for a minimum price for woollen goods, a quota of production, and the amalgamation of woollen mills;
(3) whether, in view of the unemployment in the iron and steel trades, he will bring in a Bill, on the lines of the 6 Government's Coal Bill, to provide for a minimum price for iron and steel, a quota of production, and the amalgamation of firms in the iron and steel trades?
§ Mr. W. GRAHAMI have noted the hon. Member's suggestions, in regard to which I can only point out that action to improve the condition of particular industries, whether taken by the Government or the industries themselves, must vary according to their respective needs.
§ Mr. SAMUELIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that every argument which he used on the Second Reading of the Coal Bill applies equally to these three trades in my question and to agriculture; and how does he justify favouritism to the coal trade against those three other depressed industries?
§ Mr. GRAHAMThere can be no complaint of favouritism. We must in these matters deal with one industry at a time. In any case, inquiries are in progress into the position of the iron and steel industry and the cotton industry. I cannot anticipate the results of those inquiries, but they will be considered when the reports are presented.
§ Mr. SAMUELHow does the right hon. Gentleman justify his statement that there is no favouritism when the extra cost of coal will fall on these three depressed industries and agriculture?
§ Mr. GRAHAMI do not agree with that for a moment. If the hon. Gentleman awaits the Committee stage of the Coal Mines Bill, he will hear what I at all events regard as powerful arguments on that point.
§ Mr. SAMUELIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that we can hear no more powerful arguments against the coal proposals than were put up when the Coal Mines Bill was before us on Second Reading?
§ Mr. LEACHBefore any such proposals as outlined in these questions are adopted, will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to ascertain whether the questioner and his friends will support them?
§ Major COLVILLEWill opportunity be afforded at the Inquiry for evidence to be given with regard to the probable effect on the iron and steel industry of the Coal Mines Bill?
§ Mr. GRAHAMI have already made it perfectly plain in this House that all relevant matters are in order before that Committee. If any witness wishes to tender evidence on that point, he will have a full opportunity of doing so.
Dr. VERNON DAVIESIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the state of the cotton industry is more serious than the coal industry?