§ 8. Mr. REMERasked the President of the Board of Trade the number of active spindles in existence in Japan and India, respectively, on 1st January, 1934, 1st January, 1935, and at the latest available date?
§ Dr. BURGINAs the answer is long and contains a number of figures, I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the answer:
§ Dr. BURGINThe Cotton Spinning Industry Bill is not based on the number of active spindles in existence at any time. The levy under Clause 5 of the Bill is to be charged in respect of the total spindle capacity of all cotton mills, other than mills exempted under Clause 6, and no distinction is drawn for this purpose between the spindles that are active and those that are not. The total number of spinning spindles in the 2137 cotton industry as at 31st January, 1935, was 49,400,000 and as at 31st July, 1935, 48,200,000.
§ Mr. REMERWill my hon. Friend cause to be circulated an explanation of the meaning of "spindle capacity," as the trade itself has no idea what these words mean?
§ Dr. BURGINI can hardly accept that, because deputations have been received by my Department and Members interested in this matter have been received by my right hon. Friend the President, and no difficulty has been experienced on that matter.