Harris Tweed (Yarn Supplies)

HC Deb 03 June 1946 vol 423 cc1597-8

26. Mr. M. MacMillan

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the numerous complaints from ex-Servicemen, trying to make a livelihood at weaving Harris tweed in the Outer Hebrides, owing to difficulty in, and in some cases the impossibility of, obtaining supplies of yarn for their work; and what early steps he proposes to take to assist these men to establish themselves in their native districts.

Mr. Belcher

The bulk of the yarn for the Harris tweed industry comes from the spinning mills in the Islands, who have been offered every assistance to increase their production as fast as possible. The demand, however, for yarn in the Islands appears to be considerably greater than before the war, and, while weavers who were engaged in the industry before the war are receiving supplies, there is at present not enough to meet all the demands from persons now wishing to begin weaving. This problem of yarn supply is under urgent investigation at present by representatives of all the Departments concerned.

Mr. MacMillan

Is my hon. Friend aware that here is an opportunity to help a staple industry, which can help largely to solve the unemployment problem? Is he further aware that I have been receiving the same reply for the last two or two and a half years, and will he do something urgently to give these men a chance to rehabilitate themselves in their own area?

Mr. Belcher

We have this problem very much in mind, and there is every anxiety on our part to deal with the situation in the Islands. As a matter of fact, some of the mainland mills have been supplying substantial quantities of yarn to the Islands, and we have asked that as supplies improve an increased proportion shall be sent to the Islands.

Commander Galbraith

In view of the fact that the livelihood of many men on the Islands is affected, should not the Government give this matter priority?

Mr. Belcher

It is all very well, but there is a shortage of yarn. I do not know whether it is suggested that we should solve the unemployment problem in the Western Isles by creating unemployment elsewhere, but I do not think we should. I think we should do everything in our power to help these people without interfering too much with people elsewhere. That is precisely what we are doing.

Mr. Kirkwood

Is my hon. Friend aware that in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland there is a feeling that ex-Service-men are being treated worse than we are going to treat the Poles?

Mr. MacMillan

If I may be allowed to put a supplementary question, affecting my own constituency—

Mr. Kirkwood

On a point of Order. Is my hon. Friend aware that I put Questions affecting this part of Scotland before he came here?

Mr. MacMillan

Would the Parliamentary Secretary take into special consideration the fact that this industry has contributed out of all proportion to its size to our export trade with the United States in the dollar area? Does he realise that it is one of the two hopeful industries in the Islands, and will he give special consideration to it from that point of view, and not only from the point of view of the ex-Servicemen themselves?

Mr. Belcher

Yes, Sir.