HC Deb 25 January 1944 vol 396 c522
29. Mr. Brooks

asked the President of the Board of Trade, the number of cotton spindles destroyed under the Cotton Spinning Industry Act of 1936 and the total cost to the British taxpayer.

Mr. Dalton

The Spindles Board set up under this Act, acquired and disposed of some 6,100,000 spindles. The money for this purpose—amounting to some £876,000—was raised by a levy on spindles installed in cotton spinning mills and was not a charge on the taxpayer.

Mr. Hammersley

Has my right hon. Friend got it in mind that the difficulties which this Act were designed to remedy, will recur unless a more favourable attitude towards licences is taken by his Department?

Mr. Dalton

We have this very much in mind, and, as reported in the Press this morning, a report has been submitted to me by the chairman of the Cotton Board.