§ 38 and 39. Mr. H. G. Williamsasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether he has any information of the number of spindles and looms in the cotton trade the owners of which are opposed to the proposed Cotton Enabling Bill; and what percentage of the total they represent;
(2) whether he has satisfied himself as to the method taken by the promoters of the proposed Cotton Industry Enabling Bill to ascertain the opinions of the trade; and whether he is aware that the cotton condensor spinning and weaving section, with over 10,000 employés, has not been consulted by the promoters?
Mr. StanleyI have no exact information on the extent of agreement or disagreement by the cotton industry with the proposals for an Enabling Bill, but the Government would in any case require further information on this subject before any legislation based on the proposals was proceeded with.
§ Mr. WilliamsCan the right hon. Gentleman give us an assurance that 213 more accurate information will be obtained on this question before any Bill is introduced than was obtained in connection with the Cotton Spindles Bill, on which we could never get the truth?