HC Deb 28 June 1939 vol 349 cc590-2

Considered in Committee.

[Colonel CLIFTON BROWN in the Chair.]

12.35 a.m

The President of the Board of Trade (Mr. Oliver Stanley)

I beg to move: That, for the purposes of any Act of the present Session to make provision for the better organisation of the cotton industry and cer- tain industries related thereto, and for purposes connected with the matter aforesaid, it is expedient to authorize—

  1. (a) the payment out of the Consolidated Fund or moneys provided by Parliament of the sums required for the making of any payment under the Cotton Spinning Industry Act, 1936, by the Board of Trade to the board constituted under that Act (hereinafter referred to as the Spindles Board '), being a payment the liability for which is attributable to any provision made by the said Act of the present Session for extending the period during which the powers conferred on the Spindles Board by Sub-section (1) of Section two, and Sub-section (1) of Section four, of the said Act of 1936 are exercisable, for reducing the rate at which the levy under the last-mentioned Act is payable for any year, and for deferring payment of any instalment of that levy; and
  2. (b) the payment into the Exchequer of any sums received under the said Act of 1936 by the Board of Trade from the Spindles Board, being sums the receipt of which is attributable to any provision made, by the said Act of the present Session for extending the said period."—(King's Recommendation signified.)
I do not think this Resolution needs very much explanation. It is really a preliminary to a new Clause I have already put on the Paper which will be moved during the Report stage of the Cotton Industry Bill. It is intended by that Clause that opportunity shall be given, if the spinning section of the industry so desires and if they show that desire by ballot, that the provision of the Spindles Act, which otherwise expires this autumn, should be renewed for a period of two years. The Financial Resolution is necessary, although, as a matter off act the amount which the Government may guarantee will not be increased because the period over which that guarantee can be given will be extended. For that reason it will be impossible for the House to discuss the new Clause which I intend to move unless we have power in this Financial Resolution.

Resolution to be reported To-morrow.

The remaining Orders were read, and postponed.

It being after Half-past Eleven of the Clock upon Wednesday evening, Mr. DEPUTY-SPEAKER adjourned the House, without Question put, pursuant to the Standing Order.

Adjourned at Twenty-two Minutes before One o'Clock