HC Deb 01 May 1930 vol 238 cc346-8
19. Mr. JOWETT

asked the Minister of Labour what action she is taking to settle the dispute in the woollen industry of the West Riding of Yorkshire?

Miss BONDFIELD

As my hon. Friend will be aware, I took all action open to me, including the appointment of a Court of Inquiry, with a view to avoiding the dislocation of the industry which has taken place. It has not been possible for me to intervene further, but I should like to take this opportunity of expressing the hope that the settlement of this dispute will be the subject of renewed efforts by the parties, and that the good relations between them will be resumed.

Mr. MACKINDER

Will the Minister take steps to try and bring the two parties together in order to bring about a settlement of the dispute?

Miss BONDFIELD

The Ministry are open at any moment of the day to be called upon to give their services.

Mr. McSHANE

Will not the Minister take the initiative in this matter?

Miss BONDFIELD

We are placed in a position where it is very difficult to take the initiative.

Mr. KIRKWOOD

Does not the Minister realise that it is essential, she being a representative of a workers' Government, to let it be understood in the woollen industry that she is on the side of the workers?

48. Mr. WISE

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government propose to take any measures having in view the reorganisation of the worsted and woollen textile industry as an alternative to the reduction of wages?

The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. William Graham)

I have been asked to answer this question. I would refer my hon. Friend to the replies to previous questions by him which were given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer and by myself on 17th April and 1st April, respectively. As I then indicated, the Government will at any time be prepared to lend their good offices in the matter.

Mr. BROOKE

Will not the right hon. Gentleman have an inquiry into the woollen industry, on the lines of that which was undertaken in the case of the cotton industry?

Mr. GRAHAM

I have been reluctant to embark on any additional inquiries. I hoped that the manufacturers would act on paragraph 62 of the Macmillan Report, but, without committing myself in any way, perhaps the House will not regard that as a final reply.

Mr. BROOKE

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Macmillan inquiry was confined to one district, and could not he have a wider inquiry into the organisation of the whole industry?

Mr. GRAHAM

That wider point is covered by what I have already said in reply to my hon. Friend's first supplementary question. I should not like it to be thought that I am committing myself, or the Government, at this stage.

Mr. WISE

Is it not the fact that the Macmillan Report urged the employers to take in hand measures for the reorganisation of the industry, and that they have not done anything of the kind; and does not the right hon. Gentleman think it is time that the Government should take a hand in the matter?

Mr. GRAHAM

That is precisely what I have now under consideration.

Mr. A. M. SAMUEL

Are we certain that what is called reorganisation will meet the difficulty by reducing the costs of production to such a point as to enable us to meet foreign competition?