HC Deb 08 December 1936 vol 318 cc1802-3
8. Mr. H. G. WILLIAMS

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many spindles have been purchased by the Cotton Spindles Board; whether he can furnish an estimate of the number of spindles not purchased; and what proportion of these are being worked full time, part time, and are idle, respectively?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Dr. Burgin)

In reply to the first part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which was given to him on 10th November. As regards the remaining parts, I am informed that the returns rendered by cotton spinners under Section 14 of the Cotton Spinning Industry Act show that the number of spindles in place on 14th September last was 46 million and that, of these, 6.2 million had been completely idle during the preceding six months. There were therefore 39.8 million spindles fully or partially employed during that period. These were, on the average, working to about 89 per cent, of their full capacity. These figures are expressed in terms of mule equivalents, that is to say, in computing them every two ring spindles have been counted as equivalent to three mule spindles.

16. Mr. SERVINGTON SAVERY

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many of the redundant spindles have been acquired by the Spindles Board; whether any offers of spindles have been withdrawn owing to the low price which the board were prepared to pay; and whether there are any cases in which the price offered by the Spindles Board for a mill has been less than the scrap value thereof?

Dr. BURGIN

As to the first part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I have given to-day to the hon. Member for South Croydon (Mr. H. G. Williams). As regards the other parts, I think it would prejudice the work of the Spindles Board if particulars were divulged of negotiations in which the board have been or are engaged for the purchase of redundant spinning machinery.

Mr. CROSSLEY

In reply to my hon. Friend the Member for South Croydon (Mr. H. G. Williams), the Parliamentary Secretary referred to an answer which said that no information could be given —is it not about time that some information was given about the number of spindles acquired by the Spindles Board?