§ 20. Sir John Wardlaw-Milneasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now in a position to say when it will be possible to release enough jute to enable a small number of carpets to be made and thus keep the trade in being and ready for the turnover to peacetime employment.
§ Mr. DaltonJute is required for many essential war and civilian purposes, and I regret that, so long as the present shortage and uncertainty about future supplies continue, it is not possible to make any allocation for carpets. I am anxious that the manufacture of carpets shall be resumed as soon as material is available, and my hon. Friend can rest assured that I shall do my best to obtain jute for the industry as soon as supplies permit.
§ Sir J. Wardlaw-MilneIs my right hon. Friend aware of the great anxiety that exists regarding employment in the carpet industry in the event of an early peace, in view of the fact that it is not being carried on at the present time; and has he in mind the possibility of substitutes being used, such as cotton or flax?
§ Mr. DaltonMy hon. Friend and I had a talk about this the other day, and he knows that I am very sympathetic with the case he put, but all the carpet manufacturers are working on direct war work. There is also difficulty about substitutes. He and I have gone into that, and if there are any suggestions that can be made about substitutes I will carefully consider them.
§ Sir J. Wardlaw-MilneIs my right hon. Friend aware that there is a certain amount of unemployment in the industry now?
§ Mr. DaltonI think that the Minister of Labour can deal with that.