CLOSED FACTORIES. (Hansard, 5 August 1941)

§ 5. Mr. Silverman
asked the President of the Board of Trade how many factories have now been closed down in the textile industry, and in the industries subject to the Limitation of Supplies Order, respectively, either by industry agreements, by requisitioning buildings, or by order of the President of the Board of Trade, respectively?

§ The President of the Board of Trade (Sir Andrew Duncan)
The number of factories so far closed by the concentration of production in the textile trades is 132. Others are due to close shortly as the materials on which they are at present working become exhausted. The number of factories being released by concentration in the industries subject to the Limitation of Supplies Order is 534; this figure relates to complete factories in respect of which concentration proposals satisfactory to the Board have been submitted. No factory has been closed by order of the President of the Board of Trade. I am not able to give the number of factories which have been requisitioned.

§ Mr. Rhys Davies
Are any steps being taken to see that the factories which are closed down do not become derelict, and will be ready to resume operations when the time comes?

§ Sir A. Duncan
Yes, Sir. Steps of that kind are being taken.

§ Mr. Glenvil Hall
Will the Minister remember that a very large number of men and women have been employed in these factories, and that their closing down will cause a great deal of unemployment?

§ Sir A. Duncan
The date of closing is chosen in association with the Minister of Labour so as to ensure that little or no time lapses between the factory being closed and the personnel being re-absorbed?

§ Mr. Silverman
Does the Minister consider that this process is proceeding with reasonable rapidity, and does he anticipate that he will have to use the powers which he has?

§ Sir A. Duncan
I think I can say it is proceeding with very reasonable rapidity, and indeed, I would almost say surprising rapidity.

§ Mr. Cary
Has adequate storage been provided for the textile machinery taken out of the factories?

§ Sir A. Duncan
Yes, Sir.

§ Sir Joseph Lamb
As some of the women who have been working in the factories which are closed down are either too old or not suitable for transfer to other places, will the Minister see that they are found work in the neighbourhood in which they reside?

§ Sir A. Duncan
Yes, Sir; arrangements are always made so that the older workers are transferred to the mills that are still running and the younger workers released.