§ 3 Mr. Ellis Smithasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what 625 action has been taken since he had consultations with representatives of the pottery industry at Stoke-on-Trent;
(2) if it is intended to encourage the pottery industry to prepare for the postwar world demands; and what action is to be taken;
(3) if it is intended to utilise the Government buildings in North Staffordshire to carry out large scale expansion of the pottery industry; is it intended to develop light industries in the area; and what action is to be taken.
§ Mr. DaltonSince my consultations at Stoke-on-Trent, to which my hon. Friend refers, I have had further discussions in London with representatives of the pottery industry about their post-war problems and I am now awaiting their final report.
I am most anxious that the pottery industry shall be ready to meet post-war demands both for home and export, and I shall study their report, when I receive it, with close attention.
Any pottery firm desiring to apply to the Board of Trade for the use of any Government factory in this area, which becomes available for peace-time production after the war, should do so without delay. Similarly, other applications for the use of such factories for light industries should be made to my Department.