HC Deb 18 January 1944 vol 396 cc10-1
20. Mr. Hammersley

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Industrial Supplies Department of his Board continue to refuse permits for the installation of equip- ment however trivial intended to improve working conditions in cotton spinning mills; and will he give instructions that this attitude, which is hindering the normal development of the industry as well as jeopardising the efficiency of an essential export trade, should be replaced by one of co-operation in time of war.

Mr. Dalton

The issue of licences to install such equipment is strictly limited by the capacity of the manufacturers, many of whom are engaged on urgent war production. Nevertheless, during the first eleven months of 1943 more than 40 per cent. of the applications for air conditioning plant in cotton mills were granted, in addition to many licences issued to factories in other essential industries. I am most anxious that the working conditions in the cotton industry shall be made as attractive and healthy as possible and, with my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Labour, I am looking into the possibility of increasing the capacity for making the necessary equipment.

Mr. Hammersley

Have we not reached a ridiculous situation, if the right hon. Gentleman says that improvements are desirable, when employers are very anxious to put in new equipment, which factory inspectors are pressing for, and which involves amounts of labour and material which are quite unsubstantial, still little or nothing is done?

Mr. Dalton

I have explained that there are many claims. The cotton industry ranks high but other war factories rank no less high, and I must balance one claim against another; we are doing our best with the resources available.

Mr. Rhys Davies

Does the right hon. Gentleman take note of what happened in this great industry—the largest export industry in the country—as a consequence of the last war, when it was reduced to about half its size?

Mr. Dalton

Yes, Sir, but I do not think that that was entirely due to the lack of air-conditioning plant.