§ 30. Mr. PARKINSONasked the President of the Board of Trade the number of coal mines and cotton mills, including weaving sheds, which have gone out of production between October, 1931, and October, 1934; and also give the number of other works which have closed down in the same period?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Runciman)During the period October, 1931, to October, 1934, 503 coal pits in Great Britain have been closed and not reopened, of which 278 have been definitely abandoned. For the purposes of the "Survey of Industrial Development," particulars of factories closed down have been compiled only in respect of calendar years. During the years 1932 and 1933, the total number of factories closed was 827, of which 58 were engaged in cotton spinning and 64 in cotton weaving.
§ Sir J. NALLIn order to get a true picture, is it not necessary to consider the number of persons employed at these respective dates?
§ Mr. RUNC1MANYes, Sir, that is so, and, of course, there are, on the other side, a number of new factories.
§ Mr. MARTINHave the Government taken any steps to ensure the transference of labour wherever possible from those areas which have been closed down to areas where new factories have been opened up?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThat is another question, and it ought to be asked of the appropriate Minister.