§ 47. Mr. BROOKEasked the Prime Minister whether the Government is now prepared to set up a committee of inquiry into the organisation of the woollen and worsted textile industry?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. William Graham)I have been asked to reply to this question. As I have already indicated, the subject is one which under present circumstances is attended by considerable difficulty; and I have not yet reached a decision regarding the question of appointing a committee of inquiry.
§ Mr. BROOKEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that, now that the workers are being compelled to accept the reduction recommended by the Macmillan 572 Commission, there is a widespread feeling in the West Riding that a committee of this kind should be set up to investigate all the conditions of the industry?
§ Mr. GRAHAMAs I have informed my hon. Friend, the position has been complicated by an industrial dispute. My reply merely means that we want to get rid of the question of the industrial dispute; it does not mean that the inquiry which my hon. Friend suggests is necessarily excluded.
§ Mr. BROOKEMay I ask what is the right hon. Gentleman's interpretation of the end of the industrial dispute?
§ Mr. GRAHAMOf course, it is quite useless to launch an inquiry in an adverse atmosphere, but I think I can say that we can come to a decision on this matter within the course of a very few days now.