HC Deb 27 January 1931 vol 247 cc768-71
5. Mr. L'ESTRANGE MALONE

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps are being taken to put into operation the recommendations of the report of the committee on the cotton industry (Command Paper 3615 of 1930); and what is the present position?

Mr. W. GRAHAM

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave on 18th December to the hon. Member for Sowerby (Mr. Tout), of which I am sending him a copy. As stated in this reply, my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary and I were hoping to meet the cotton manufacturers again in the early part of this month in order to continue the discussions in regard to the organisation of their section of the trade. It has not been possible to arrange the meeting, but I hope that it will take place at an early date.

Mr. HERBERT GIBSON

What steps, if any, have been taken to eliminate the unnecessary number of middlemen?

Mr. GRAHAM

That, of course, is part of the wider problem. I can assure my hon. Friend that in the course of these discussions that important element will not be overlooked.

Mr. WISE

Are the Government taking any initiative in putting forward proposals with regard to the reorganisation of selling or buying in this industry?

Mr. GRAHAM

That is not the whole question. It is not really a, matter of initiative. It is rather a matter of frank discussion as to the steps that can be taken in that revision and, of course, within the limits of the present powers of the Government.

Mr. DOUGLAS HACKING

Have not the discussions been held up on account of the present unfortunate dispute?

Mr. GRAHAM

Yes, Sir. It is very desirable not to have any delay, but the right hon. Gentleman will appreciate that there are great difficulties in proceeding with these discussions while the parties are divided on an important issue.

Mr. GIBSON

Does not my right hon. Friend think that it is time the employers in this industry ceased their continual stubbornness?

Mr. WISE

Is it not the case that the report definitely contemplates that after the lapse of a certain time the Government would themselves interfere and take the initiative, and, if necessary, appeal for Parliamentary powers.

Mr. GRAHAM

Yes, Sir, there is a passage in the report which is substantially in the terms of that supplementary question. We have always made it clear that we desire to see the organisation undertaken on voluntary lines, but, if that fails, other measures will have to be considered. But it must clearly be understood that I am not pronouncing on those measures this afternoon.

25 and 27. Mr. HACKING

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) the percentage increase in the amount of foreign cotton piece goods sold in Great Britain between the years 1924 and 1930;

(2) the percentage increase of foreign cotton yarns sold in Great Britain between the years 1924 and 1930?

Mr. GRAHAM

The total quantity of cotton piece goods imported into Great Britain and Northern Ireland registered as consigned from foreign countries during the year 1930 showed an increase of about 91 per cent. over the quantity in 1924. The total quantity of cotton yarns imported from foreign countries showed an increase during the same period of about 46 per cent. Particulars are not available as to the amount of foreign cotton piece goods and cotton yarns sold in this country in the years 1924 and 1930.

Mr. HACKING

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that the answer to the questions is circulated in Free Trade districts like Manchester?

Mr. GRAHAM

Yes, and at the same time I will circulate the information that these imports are still an infinitesimal part of our exports of similar goods and that I cannot conceive of any advantage which would result from a tax upon them.

Mr. HACKING

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the imports are increasing and the exports decreasing?

Mr. GRAHAM

That is brought out by the reply to the right hon. Member, but they are still an infinitesimal part, and it does not in any way weaken the further point I have put.

Brigadier-General Sir HENRY CROFT

Is it not the fact that these imports represent the employment of between 40,000 and 60,000 workers in Lancashire?

Mr. GRAHAM

I could not enter into those statistics without notice.