§ 5. Sir ASSHETON POWNALLasked the Lord Privy Seal if his attention has been called to the increase in unemployment in the motor vehicle manufacturing trade of which the Ministry of Labour March Gazette makes special mention; and whether he has any proposals with regard to its alleviation?
Mr. THOMASI am aware of the increases in unemployment to which the hon. and gallant Member refers. With regard to the second part of the question 245 I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the White Paper which I presented to Parliament a few days ago, which shows the large amount of Government assistance given to schemes of national development. I have also repeatedly explained to the House the policy which I am actively pursuing with a view to encouraging by every means possible the extension of British trade both in home and overseas markets.
§ Sir A. POWNALLWill the right hon. Gentleman make further representations to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in addition to those which he has already made, with regard to the danger of taking off these duties?
§ Mr. DAYIs the Lord Privy Seal aware that the reason that there is so much unemployment in this trade is due to the horse-power tax put on by the late Chancellor of the Exchequer?