HC Deb 03 May 1932 vol 265 cc941-4
9. Mr. ALED ROBERTS

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of foreign-owned factories opened in this country since 1st November, 1931; the total number of persons given employment in such factories; and how many of these are foreign nationals?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Hore-Belisha)

As stated in the answer given on 26th April to the hon. Members for Westhoughton (Mr. Rhys Davies) and Shettleston (Mr. McGovern) the Board of Trade have received information regarding upwards of 50 new undertakings which have been set up in this country during the last few months, of which it is understood 45 have commenced operations. I am making inquiries with a view to ascertaining what information is available as to the number of persons employed by these undertakings, and as to the number who are foreign nationals, and I hope in due course to communicate with my hon. Friend.

Mr. BUCHANAN

In view of the fact that this information is wanted by Members of the House, will the hon. Gentleman take steps to see that it is published in the usual way?

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

Certainly. If the hon. Member will put down a question, I will give the answer publicly.

Mr. REMER

Is the Minister aware that some of the foreign firms to whom the hon. Gentleman has referred as opening works in this country are now closing down on account of the withdrawal of the Abnormal Import Duties?

10. Mr. PARKINSON

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of new industries established in Great Britain as a result of the various import duties, giving the number of people employed and giving separate figures for Lancashire?

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

I have just answered the first part of this question. As regard the figures for Lancashire, I would suggest that the hon. Member communicates with the Lancashire Industrial Development Council, at Ship Canal House, King Street, Manchester, who will be in a position to supply the latest information regarding new undertakings established in Lancashire.

Mr. NEIL MACLEAN

If the hon. Gentleman can promise official information in regard to other businesses, why cannot he himself make application to the council to which he refers and himself give the information to the House?

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

Because I was anxious to be courteous to the hon. Member who asked this question by putting him into touch with those who could give the information at first hand.

Mr. MAXTON

Does not the Minister realise that grave suspicions are arising in the minds of Members in all parts of the House as to the genuineness of these figures?

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

I am aware that the hon. Gentleman's mind is a fertile soil of suspicion.

Mr. PARKINSON

Is it not the function of the Board of Trade to secure this information and give it to the House?

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

I was willing to give the hon. Gentleman the information which I had, but the body I have mentioned can give it to him at first hand, and, in order that he may have it accurately, I gave him the name of the body concerned.

16. Mr. RHYS DAVIES

asked the President of the Board of Trade the latest figure of the foreign firms that have opened businesses in this country since the various Import Duties have been imposed; the character or type of each trade or business and where situated; and whether these concerns are financed by British or foreign capital and the amount of capital involved?

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

The latest detailed information in the possession of the Board of Trade as to the foreign firms that have opened businesses in this country was given in the course of the Debate on the Board of Trade Vote on 14th April last. The hon. Member will find the information in cols. 1014–1016 and 1122, Vol. 264, of the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. DAVIES

Will the hon. Gentleman tell us why we cannot get the actual information about these firms and about the factories of which he spoke? Why cannot the Board of Trade tell us where these factories are, if they exist at all?

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

I have given the hon. Member a reference to the OFFICIAL REPORT where he will find these particulars set out in the greatest detail.

Mr. DAVIES

But does the hon. Gentleman not understand that all the details that we have had so far, are to the effect that there are about 40 or 50 of these factories, but we cannot tell where they are?

Mr. MAXTON

Arising out of the hon. Gentleman's reply, is it not the case that the figures which he gave only dated up to 14th April? Has there been no increase in the number since then?

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

I have said in reply to this question that the detailed information as regards the actual sites of the factories was given on 14th April. I have no detailed information of additional factories set up since then.

Mr. N. MACLEAN

Is it not the case that in the statements made on 14th April, no information was given as to the amount of capital to be invested in these factories, or whether it was foreign or British capital, or how much foreign and British capital respectively was being invested; and will he now answer the question on the Paper as to how much foreign and British capital is being invested in this industry?

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

I could not give that information as regards capital. The hon. Gentleman himself will see how involved a statistical study that would mean.

Mr. MACLEAN

On a point of Order. In the original reply, the hon. Gentleman referred the hon. Member for Wigan (Mr. Parkinson) to the OFFICIAL REPORT of 14th April for particulars relating to the subject matter of the question. May I point out that the particulars asked for in this question are not to be found in the Debate to which the hon. Gentleman has referred, and I wish to know why he cannot give us that information?

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Gentleman has said that he cannot give that information.

Mr. MACLEAN

Why did he not say so at first?