§ 29. Mr. NEIL MACLEANasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the number of flour mills in Scotland that have been bought by English milling companies; the number that have been closed after purchase; and the number of workers who have been dismissed in consequence of change in ownership or closing of the mills, respectively?
§ Dr. BURGINI regret that the desired information is not available.
§ Mr. MACLEANAre not these matters recorded? Why cannot the hon. Gentleman give the information?
§ Dr. BURGINInformation as to the number of flour mills in Scotland which have been bought by English milling companies is not available either at the Board of Trade or elsewhere.
§ Mr. MACLEANI only want to know the number that have been closed.
§ Dr. BURGIN"After purchase," the question says.
Brigadier-General BROWNIs not the hon. Gentleman aware that there is a serious decrease in the number of flour mills all over the country and not only in Scotland? It is a much more important matter than he gives credit for. Will he not look into the matter?
§ Dr. BURGINI will, of course, make inquiries in view of the interest taken in the House, but the information supplied to me is that these particulars are not available, and I am not able to go beyond that to-day.
§ 30. Mr. MACLEANasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the figures of the importation of flour in 280 lb. sacks into Scotland in each of the years 1924 to 1933, and if there has been any reduction during that period; and whether there has been any increase in the quantities of flour sent from England to Scotland during the same period?
§ Dr. BURGINI regret that the precise information desired is not available. Particulars of goods passing into Scotland from England are not recorded, nor are particulars of the foreign trade of Scotland recorded separately from those of the United Kingdom as a whole. The quantity and declared value of flour imported in the foreign trade and entered at certain of the principal ports in Scotland is, however, published in Volume IV of the Annual Statement of Trade; such imports declined from 4.8 million cwts in 1924 to 3.1 million cwts. in 1932 and 3.3 million cwts. in 1933.