§ 73. Mr. Fairhurstasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is satisfied that the present allocation of coal to the cotton textile industry of Lancashire is sufficient to give continuity of work in the forthcoming weeks.
§ 63. Mr. Osborneasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will recommend priority in coal and labour for top-breakerss and spinners, since yarn shortage may casue a clothing crisis and supplies be insufficient to meet clothing coupons.
§ Mr. BelcherCotton and worsted spinning have received coal allocations substantially higher than those for industry generally, and we shall do all we can, consistent with the claims of other essential needs, to assist these industries to obtain fuel and to keep their production in balance. I regret, however, that there is no prospect that the coal supplies likely to be available to either the cotton or the wool textile industries in the immediate future will be sufficient to keep them in full operation. With regard to the effect of fuel shortage on the clothing ration, I would refer the hon. Members to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Coatbridge (Mrs. Mann) on 13th February.
§ Mr. DraysonCan the hon. Gentleman give an assurance that the cotton and wool textile industry in Yorkshire will not be treated in any way less favourably than that in Lancashire as regards fuel supplies?
§ Mr. BelcherThat, as I think the hon. Member knows, is the subject of discussion at the present moment.
§ Sir Ronald RossIs the hon. Gentleman aware that cotton plant is extremely short, that certain manufacturers and such like are not able to carry on employing the full number of people; and will he make every effort to see that cotton supplies are kept up?
§ Mr. BelcherI am only too well aware of the shortage of cotton plant.