§ 1. Sir Wavell Wakefieldasked the President of the Board of Trade why, in view of the urgent need for developing British export trade, he refuses to support a proposal by Messrs. Bourne and Hollingsworth to restore that part of their premises in Oxford Street which was war damaged for the purpose of manufacturing clothing for overseas customers for which they have orders, material and labour waiting.
§ The President of the Board of Trade (Mr. Harold Wilson)No evidence has been produced that the firm hold substantial firm orders from overseas nor to substantiate their statement of prospects of obtaining continuing business only in clothing of their own production
§ Sir W. WakefieldIn view of the statement made by the President of the Board of Trade that every help was to be given to manufacturers to export textiles, why does the right hon. Gentleman refuse this licence, in view of the fact that I have evidence here that there are orders and inquiries from overseas for the products of this firm?
§ Mr. WilsonThis firm has produced no evidence to the Department that they could increase the net volume of the export trade of this country. There are very many other cases in which production could be increased in the clothing trade, and to increase it here would only mean taking away clothing material from other firms so engaged.