§ 71. Mr. ENTWISTLEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has considered the petition from firms representing not less than 75 per cent. of the cotton and artificial silk dyers and finishers asking for legislation to secure the compulsory regulation of prices and other conditions of trading; and whether he is prepared to introduce an enabling Bill to effect this purpose or, alternatively, whether he will state that, in the event of a detailed scheme of reorganisation of the finishing section of the cotton trade being presented to him by a substantial majority of this section, legislative sanction to such scheme will be granted provided it embodies reasonable safeguards to the other sections of the industry?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI have received the petition to which my hon. Friend refers and the matter is under consideration.
§ Mr. ENTWISTLEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that if a statement could be made in the terms asked for in the question it would facilitate very much the consent of a substantial majority in the industry to this scheme of reorganisation, which is so desirable in the interests of the trade as a whole?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANYes, Sir, I will bear that opinion in mind.
§ Mr. HAMMERSLEYWill my right hon. Friend bear in mind in connection with any enabling Bill that it should put forward principles which will improve the competitive character of trade as well as merely carry out agreements on prices?
§ Major PROCTERWill the right hon. Gentleman see that these enabling Bills are not used as a means of forcing down the wages of the employés?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI cannot discuss an enabling Bill which has not yet been drafted.