§ 40. Mr. Priceasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the tinplate works of Richard Thomas at Lydney have been closed for some weeks in connection with the rationalisation which is going on in the industry; and whether, in view of the large amount of unemployment which this is causing in this part of the Forest of Dean, he proposes to do anything in the matter?
§ Mr. StanleyI understand that these works were closed in December because of the decline in the demand for tinplate. As regards the general situation in the industry, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 31st January to the hon. Member for Llanelly (Mr. J. Griffiths).
§ Mr. PriceIs it not a fact that men have already gone from Lydney to South Wales, and does not that indicate that there is something more than trade depression involved in this matter?
§ Mr. StanleyIt is exactly that point which is involved in the answer to which I referred my hon. Friend. We are awaiting the report of a committee representing both employers and employed.