§ 66. Mr. LEWIS JONESasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give the latest information in his possession as to how many new concerns established in this country since December, 1931, by or with the assistance of foreign firms, are now in production; whether he will classify the new undertakings by country of origin of the foreign interests; what are the products of these factories; what is their geographical distribution; and what are the numbers employed?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Hore-Belisha)An investigation made by the Board of Trade and the Ministry of Labour shows that 123 new undertakings have been established in this country by, or with the assistance of, foreign concerns during the period from last November to the end of the first week in May, and are now in production. The foreign countries included in this movement are Germany, 65 cases; France, 11; Austria, 11; Belgium 9; U.S.A., 9; Holland, 6; other countries, 12. At the date of the investigation these new undertakings were employing 3,882 persons, excluding 370 foreigners in respect of whom the Ministry of Labour have issued permits. These permits are in respect of foreign workmen employed for short periods on erecting or starting special machinery or on training British workpeople. It is estimated by the promoters of these new undertakings that the figure of 3,882 will rise to over 8,000 when the factories are fully occupied. As the list of the products of these new undertakings is long, I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT, together with particulars of geographical distribution.
§ Mr. RHYS DAVIESWill the hon. Gentleman say whether these firms are producing in this country any articles that could not be produced by our own people?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAYes, Sir.
§ Mr. DAVIESWill he state to what type of article he alludes?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat does not arise out of the question.
§ Following are the particulars:
§ PRODUCTS AND GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION of New Undertakings Established by or with the Assistance of Foreign Firms during the period November, 1931, to May, 1932 (end of first week) and now in Production.
§ London—North, including Watford, Welwyn and Letch-worth.
§ Thirty undertakings employing 819 people and making the following products:
- Biscuits.
- Clock parts.
- Colour cards.
- Embroidery.
- Erinoid buckles.
- Fancy leather goods.
- Furniture polish.
- Games.
- Knitwear.
- Locks.
- Matches.
- Mops.
- Padding.
- Porcelain articles.
- Radio apparatus.
- Radio apparatus parts.
- Raincoats.
- Rexine bags.
- Scissors.
- Screws.
- Secateurs.
- Silk underwear.
- Spectacle lenses.
- Table glassware.
- Toilet articles.
- Typewriter ribbon spools.
- Vacuum cleaners.
- Wooden articles.
- Woven underwear.
§ London—South.
§ Five undertakings employing 118 people and making the following products:
- Brushes.
- Knitted goods.
- Printing machinery.
- Radio resistances.
- Vacuum cleaners.
§ London—East.
§ Twenty-nine undertakings employing 861 people and making the following products:
- Bakelite fancy goods.
- Bathing costumes.
- Corsets.
- Cream chocolate.
- Crepe paper.
- Ear trumpets.
- Fancy leather goods.
- Fibre suit cases.
- Fur dyeing.
- Paint.
- Paper handkerchiefs.
- Radio batteries.
- Razor blades.
- Slider fasteners.
- Spectacle frames.
- Underwear.
- Vacuum flasks.
- Walking sticks and umbrellas.
- Woollen sportswear.
§ London—West including Slough.
§ Thirty-seven undertakings, employing 1,135 people and making the following products:
- Cosmetics.
- Dresses.
- Electric batteries.
- Electric lamps.
- Electrical switches.
- Embroidery.
- Foot powders.
- Fur coats.
- Gramophone records.
- Handbags.
- Knitwear.
- Lace.
- Nails.
- Perfume.
- Radio condensers.
- Radio parts.
- Razor blades.
- Ribbons.
- Rubber gloves.
- Slider fasteners.
- Toilet articles.
- Toilet cream.
- Tools.
- Toys.
§ The Midlands.
§ Five undertakings employing 411 people and making the following products:
- Electric carbons.
- Glassware.
- Knitwear.
- Sandals.
- Stockings.
§ Lancashire and Cheshire.
§ Eleven undertakings employing 449 people and making the following products:
- Baking powder.
- Elastic braid.
- Furnishing fabrics.
- Glass tableware.
- Hat galloons.
- Monumental granite.
- Paper.
- Silk velvets.
- Wireless parts.
§ Yorkshire.
§ Four undertakings employing 69 people and making the following products:
- Chiffon velvets.
- Furnishing fabrics.
- Safety razor blades.
- Woollen fabrics.
- Woollen yarns.
§ Other Areas,
§ Two undertakings employing 20 people and making the following products:
- Beet-sugar machinery.
- Phosphates.