HC Deb 05 April 1932 vol 264 cc6-7
7. Mr. RHYS DAVIES

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will introduce legislation for the cotton industry providing for levies for the purpose of getting rid of redundant plant; and whether it will be on similar lines to the proceedings adopted for getting rid of redundant licensed premises?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

As the hon. Member may be aware., I recently informed the Joint Committee of Cotton Trade Organisations, the body representing all sections of the cotton industry including the operatives, that if they decide to prepare a suitable detailed scheme for concentrating production through a levy for the purchase of redundant machinery, and are able to secure for it a measure of support of a kind that would commend it to Parliament, I should be prepared to recommend my colleagues to authorise me to promote the legislation needed to give authority for the collection of the levy. I understand that definite proposals are now to be drawn up by the Joint Committee for submission to the spinning section of the cotton industry. With regard to the second part of the question, the basis of the scheme is a matter for the industry itself to determine.

Mr. BUCHANAN

In promoting any legislation, in regard to redundant machinery, will the right hon. Gentleman take into account the effect on the workers; and in any such legislation will he deal with the position of the workers affected thereby?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

If my hon. Friend had paid attention to my answer, he would have observed that I said that I was not prepared to act, except on the recommendation of the joint committee which includes the operatives.

Mr. BUCHANAN

But that is not the same thing.

Sir ARTHUR SHIRLEY BENN

Will the right hon. Gentleman, in dealing with this matter recollect that the owners of modern plant, capable of competing in the markets both at home and abroad will not be able to stand levies, to get rid of redundant plant which is not up-to-date and not capable of competing?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

I am well aware that that view is held in some quarters, but, as I have said, I would not think of acting unless there was some general arrangement covering the whole of the industry—the good, the bad, and the indifferent.