HC Deb 22 July 1946 vol 425 c1648
2. Mr. Stanley Prescott

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish an abridged and simplified edition of the Report of the Working Party on the Cotton Industry.

Sir S. Cripps

Though I appreciate the desirability of the widest possible dissemination of the Working Party's Report, I should hope that all those who are interested will read it in full, since it would not be possible to make an accurate abridgment.

Mr. Prescott

Is the President of the Board of Trade aware that it is impossible for the ordinary working people of Lancashire to read this Report in full; that they take a very great interest in the Report; and would he reconsider the possibility and the desirability of publishing an abridged and simplified version?

Sir S. Cripps

We have considered the possibility and the desirability, and we have come to the conclusion that it would not be desirable, because it might lead to a great deal of misunderstanding.

Sir Waldron Smithers

The Government do not want the workers to know.

Mr. Bossom

How many copies of the Report have been printed

Sir S. Cripps

I would like to have notice of that.