§ 27. Mr. McKinlayasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is prepared to regard hosiery firms whose premises have been partially destroyed by enemy action as being telescoped for the purpose of the concentration of industry?
§ Mr. LytteltonSpecial consideration is given to such cases by members of the Industrial and Export Committee; the decision must necessarily depend on the merits of each case.
§ Mr. McKinlayIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the representative of this industry made a statement in Glasgow last week to the effect that firms damaged by enemy action would automatically be telescoped, and is he further aware that the machinery used in this industry is imported from abroad?
§ Mr. LytteltonIf the hon. Member will give me details of this particular case, I shall be glad to look into it.
§ Mr. MathersDoes the right hon. Gentleman and the Committee working for him recognise the importance of maintaining in different parts of the country hosiery manufacturing units to guard against any possibility of lack of supplies through one concentrated unit being destroyed?
§ Mr. LytteltonYes, Sir.