HC Deb 07 July 1931 vol 254 c1888
29. Lieut.-Colonel WINDSOR-CLIVE

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the recent increase in the number of employés at the carpet factory at Bridgnorth who are working short time; and what steps the Government propose to take in order to deal with this situation?

Mr. W. GRAHAM

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, but it is obviously impossible for any Government to deal with the cases of individual factories.

Lieut.-Colonel WINDSOR-CLIVE

Have not the Government any plans to enable British workers to get regular employment in their own trade?

Mr. GRAHAM

Oh, yes; many plans, but, if the hon. and gallant Member means by his question, as I think he does, protective tariffs, that is not one of the plans.

Mr. HANNON

Is it not a fact that day after day during the past two years employés have been put out of employment in the carpet factories in this country, and is the carpet trade going to be allowed to go into disuse because of the inaction of the Government?