HC Deb 04 March 1948 vol 448 cc501-2
14. Major Guy Lloyd

asked the President of the Board of Trade which industrial and trading activities operating under the control of his Department are open to new entrants, and which are confined to those in the same line of business prior to 1939.

Mr. H. Wilson

As I said in reply to a question I y the hon. Member for Altrincham and Sale (Mr. Erroll) on 29th January, this information is not readily available in suitable form. If, however, the hon. and gallant Member has in mind any particular industrial or trading activities, I shall be glad to give him information about the practice in those industries regarding new entrants.

Major Lloyd

The right hon. Gentleman's reply does not really answer the first part of my Question, which is whether or not there is any actual closed shop in any of these industries which forbids the entrance of any industrialists or business people who were not in before 1939?

Mr. Wilson

There are a number of controls where it is necessary, and the trade associations concerned are very insistent that the allocation of material should be confined to those previously in the trade. I am very worried about this, and it is one of the things I have asked my new examiner of controls to look into it. It is a very difficult thing to allocate materials to new entrants at a time when existing firms are only manufacturing to the extent of about 3o or 40 per cent. of their capacity.

Major Lloyd

While appreciating the difficulties of the right hon. Gentleman, and realising that his Department is sympathetic, can he give an assurance that his Department will not have a closed mind and encourage a closed shop?

Mr. Wilson

It has a very open mind, and where it is possible to open a shop, that will be done.

Mr. Frank Byers

Does not the Minister appreciate that the insistence of a trade association is no reason for not altering the system?

Mr. Wilson

I entirely agree, but I thought it might be a reason which would appeal to hon. Gentlemen opposite.

Major Lloyd

On a point of Order. Is not the Minister's insinuation quite unwarranted, Mr. Speaker?

Mr. Speaker

I do not think it was really an unworthy insinuation.