§ 51. Mr. HAMMERSLEYasked the Prime Minister if he is now in a position to indicate any practical action as a result of the recommendations of the committee inquiring into the cotton trade?
§ The PRIME MINISTERAs I have repeatedly informed the House, as soon as I am in a position to make a statement on this subject it will be made.
§ Mr. HAMMERSLEYIs the Prime Minister aware that the prolonged delay in issuing this report is causing serious inconvenience, and is preventing many of the operations of the rationalisation which is the policy of his own Government?
§ Sir HERBERT SAMUELIn view of the fact that it is now some 12 months since the committee was first appointed, and in view of the very serious situation in Lancashire, will some steps be taken to expedite action arising out of the signature of this report?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe delay regarding this report and the decision whether it should be published or not does not mean that there has been any delay in handling the situation. As a matter of fact, that has been the concern of the Government for some months, and action of a very drastic character has been taken. As I explained yesterday or the day before, there are very big questions to be settled as to whether this 573 report, compiled from information which is very largely confidential, should or should not be published in the interests of the trade itself.
§ Sir H. SAMUELCan the right hon. Gentleman make some statement as to the action which he has mentioned, which has been taken in Lancashire or which is contemplated?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThat is one of the points that are under consideration. We have spent some time this morning in considering this and cognate questions.
§ Mr. HACKINGWhen did the Cabinet actually receive this report from the sub-committee?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNot more than a week ago, I think. It was at the beginning of the end of last week, as far as I can remember.